Autopsy concludes Atlanta church deacon’s death during arrest was homicide

ATLANTA (AP) An autopsy has ruled that the Aug. 10 death of a 62-year-old church deacon who was electrocuted by an Atlanta police officer was a homicide, although the medical examiner concluded that a Heart disease had also contributed to his death.

Johnny Hollman became unresponsive while being arrested after a minor car accident. The officer shocked Hollman with an electric stun gun and handcuffed him after Hollman refused to sign a citation.

The city has since changed its policy to allow officers to write their refusal to sign on a ticket instead of arresting someone who doesn’t want to sign. The policy requires officers to inform drivers that a signature does not constitute an admission of guilt. He simply acknowledges receipt of the ticket and the hearing date.

The Atlanta City Council last week asked the city to release video of the incident. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is looking into the officer’s actions, has asked the Atlanta Police Department not to release the video until state agencies’ investigation is complete.

Hollman’s death contributed to some Atlanta residents’ dissatisfaction with the police, who are focusing on a proposal to build a public safety training center.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Melissa Sims-Stanley said that based on a review of the video and a conversation with a GBI investigator, she concluded that Hollman was unresponsive after being knocked unconscious, a reported the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Arnitra Fallins, Hollman’s daughter, said her father was driving home after buying fried chicken and apple pie when he was involved in a collision with another vehicle. Fallins said Hollman called police to investigate the wreck, but Atlanta police said he became agitated when police determined Hollman was at fault in the wreck and attempted to free him a quote.

When Hollman refused to sign the ticket, the officer attempted to arrest him, and the officer and Hollman began to physically struggle, the GBI said. That’s when GBI says the officer, Kiran Kimbrough, shocked Hollman. Kimbrough is on administrative leave during the investigation.

Lawyers for the Hollman family say it was Kimbrough who started the fight after Hollman requested that a police sergeant come to the scene because Hollman disagreed with the officer finding him at fault .

You can hear Mr. Hollman begging him to stop, lawyer Mawuli Davis said.

Fallins, who was on the phone with Hollman, said she rushed to the scene when she heard her father screaming for help.

You know, when you hear something, you can imagine what’s happening, she told WXIA-TV. But to witness it, you know, you know the body camera piece. We are now receiving the autopsy results. Once again, this confirms what I already knew.

Although the video was not released, it was shown to family members. Lawyers for the Hollmans family question how releasing the video could hamper the investigation when GBI has already interviewed witnesses.