Grand jury declines to indict ex-cop in tasing death of Atlanta deacon
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Johnny Hollman Sr., right, with his daughter Arnitra Hollman. Photo: Courtesy of Davis Bozeman Johnson Law Firm
The family of an Atlanta man who died after he was tased by an officer during a crash investigation said they will continue to seek justice after a Fulton County grand jury decided not to indict the former cop.
Why it matters: Sunday marks two years since Johnny Hollman Sr. died after he was fatally tased by Kiran Kimbrough, who was later fired by the Atlanta Police Department for not following the agency's protocols.
- Hollman's death sparked protests and resulted in the Atlanta Police Department changing its policy on how it issues citations.
The latest: Daughter Arnitra Hollman testified before the grand jury Monday before it issued a no-bill — or decided not to indict — in the case, according to a news release from the Davis Bozeman Johnson Law Firm, which is representing the Hollman family.
- Jeff DiSantis, a spokesperson with the Fulton County district attorney's office, said the charges presented to the grand jury were one count of involuntary manslaughter, one count of simple battery and two counts of violation of oath by a public officer.
What they're saying: The Hollmans said their patriarch should still be alive, and failing to hold Kimbrough accountable "is another painful reminder of how little value is placed on his life by some citizens — even when the facts are clear and the harm is undeniable."
- "But we will not stop," the family said. "Our faith and our fight for justice will not waver."
The other side: Lance LoRusso of the LoRusso Law Firm, which represents Kimbrough, said in a statement his client appreciates that "the grand jury was able to see the truth of this matter."
- "While Johnny Hollman's death was tragic, in no way did Kiran Kimbrough cause the death of Johnny Hollman," the statement said, adding medical complications and Hollman's "unlawful resistance of a uniformed officer performing his lawful duties" led to his death.
- LoRusso told Axios that Kimbrough appealed his termination through the city's Civil Service Board, but APD's decision was upheld.
- Kimbrough appealed that ruling in Fulton County Superior Court, LoRusso said.
Catch up quick: Hollman, who was chairman of the deacon ministry at Lively Stones of God Ministries, was driving home from Bible study on Aug. 10, 2023, when he was involved in a traffic collision on Lowery Boulevard at Cunningham Place in southwest Atlanta.
- Kimbrough responded to the crash and determined Hollman, 62, was at fault, according to body camera footage released by APD.
- After disagreeing with the officer's decision, Hollman agreed to sign the ticket and as he reached for it, Kimbrough grabbed his arm and wrestled him to the ground, the footage shows.
During the struggle, Kimbrough told Hollman to put his hands behind his back, but Hollman repeatedly said, "I can't breathe."
- Kimbrough tased Hollman, who became unresponsive, then called for backup, according to the footage. EMS crews tried to revive him, but Hollman was pronounced dead at the hospital.
- An autopsy determined Hollman died from an abnormal heart rhythm caused by the use of the taser and "in association with hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease."
Kimbrough was fired two months later for failing to follow the department's policy of having a supervisor on the scene before he tried to arrest Hollman.
- Following the incident, APD changed its ticketing policy to allow officers to write "refusal to sign" instead of arresting noncompliant drivers.
The city of Atlanta last year settled a civil rights lawsuit filed by Hollman's family for $3.8 million.
What's next: DiSantis said District Attorney Fani Willis is "conferring with the prosecutors and investigators in the Civil Rights Division and will make a decision on whether to present the case again to a grand jury shortly."