Posted on 11/28/2006 5:31:14 AM PST by from occupied ga
Five days after an elderly woman was killed in a gun battle that left three officers wounded, Atlanta police chief Richard Pennington said Sunday night his department will review its policy on "no knock" warrants and its use of confidential informants.
Speaking for the first time since the Tuesday night shooting death of Kathryn Johnston at her home in northwest Atlanta, Pennington said his office "will turn over every stone to make sure we get to the reason why this tragic incident happened."
Atlanta police Chief Richard Pennington says the policy on 'no knock' warrants will be reviewed.
Pennington provided little new information on what led to the confrontation at 933 Neal St. when narcotics officers seeking to serve a warrant broke down the front door and exchanged gunfire with Johnston.
Earlier that day, a man named "Sam" had sold drugs from inside the house to an informant, police said, prompting officers to seek a "no-knock" warrant. Such warrants are frequently issued so police can get inside a home before suspects can destroy or flush drugs.
Johnston — described by neighbors and family as a frightened woman who had burglar bars on her windows and door and rarely let friends and neighbors into her home — had lived at the one-story brick home near the Georgia Dome for 17 years.
The police chief said officers found marijuana inside the house but "not a large quantity." Previously, police only said drugs were seized at Johnston's home.
Pennington was out of town last week for the Thanksgiving holiday and said he was unable to get a flight back to Atlanta earlier. He said he had not talked to the officers involved in the shooting, but he had been briefed by his commanders.
The chief said he did not know the contents of the sworn statement that police provided to a judge to obtain the warrant. "I will have it [Monday]," he said.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, at the request of the Fulton County District Attorney's Office, is looking into the incident, including examining the home to determine how many gunshots were fired in the confrontation. GBI spokesman John Bankhead said it will take several more weeks before results are available.
Pennington spoke with reporters at Lindsay Street Baptist Church after a meeting with civil rights activist the Rev. Markell Hutchins.
Hutchins leaves for Washington this morning to deliver a letter to the U.S. Justice Department calling for a federal investigation into "what we believe are at worst, gross violations of this woman's life, and at best, poor judgment on the part of the police officers."
Pennington said he welcomes any investigation into the shooting.
Sunday night, Hutchins said he was satisfied with what Pennington shared, citing a law enforcement agency's "right to protect the integrity of its investigation."
"I did not ask him any confidential questions that I should not be privy to," he said. "I appreciated that he came down to reassure us that he will do everything that needs to be done to look into this."
Johnston's family could not be reached for comment. Hutchins, who is acting as their spokesman, said he had not had a chance to speak with them after he met with Pennington.
Also Sunday, the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office corrected reports on Johnston's age. The family had said that Johnston was 92, but the medical examiner's office said records show she was 88.
Police described their suspect as a 6-foot-tall man weighing 250 to 260 pounds. Johnston's niece, Sarah Dozier, has said her aunt lived alone.
The officers were not wearing uniforms but had on bulletproof vests with "Police" emblazoned across the front and back. And they identified themselves as they burst through the doors, police said.
Johnston grabbed a rusty six-shot revolver and emptied it. Five shots struck the officers, hitting one of them three times. The other two were each hit once. The officers returned fire, shooting Johnston twice in the chest and elsewhere, police have said.
The three officers were released from the hospital the next day. They are on leave with pay.
Funeral plans for Johnston have not been made.
Staff writer Jeffry Scott contributed to this article.
I think we will not know exactly how the raid was planned and executed for several months. ever. It will be part of an "ongoing investigation" shuffled around and evidence lost, etc.
I am unimpressed at your being impressed.
"Is it true that you're the president of the Lon Hourouchi fan club?" Yes I have given him your home address, grab that baby.
Whatever
No, he has not ADMITTED that. He is now CLAIMING the police told him to lie.
Let's stick to facts. (... and I agree the APD is MESSED UP)
BTW, said informant is now in protective custody. hmmmm.
I agree this does not smell right at all; the APD is messed up; this went all wrong; we'll never get to the "truth"; no one actually responsible will be punished.
REM: my only issue here is about calling the cops JBT and murderers. I can't go with that.
When I heard it on WSB AM 750 in Atlanta this morning I heard, admitted. My ears might be fooling me but that's what I remember.
"BTW, where I agree with you is that the home invasion thugs are indeed impersonating cops. THAT is a real risk. "
This home invation - fake cops thing is happening a lot here (Alaska) - very scary stuff.
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