Deacon Johnny Hollman death: Firing of Atlanta police officer is not enough, family says
Officer fired in death of 62-year-old Atlanta deacon
Atlanta Police have fired an officer following an altercation with a local man that ended in his death. Deacon Johnny Hollman died in August after a Taser was used on him repeatedly by Officer Kiran Kimbrough. That happened after the 62-year-old reportedly refused to sign a traffic citation. The Fulton County Medical Examiner ruled Hollman's death a homicide.
ATLANTA - The Atlanta police officer involved with the arrest and death of Johnny Hollman St. has been fired, according to the Atlanta Police Department.
APD Chief Darin Schierbaum terminated Officer Kiran Kimbrough for failing to follow the department's standard operating procedures during the incident on Aug. 10.
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According to the results of the administrative review, Kimbrough failed to have a supervisor on the scene prior to proceeding with the physical arrest of Hollman for refusing to sign a citation.
Attorney Harold W. Spence held a press conference responding to the news of the termination on Oct. 10, stating the family felt deflated to learn the basis of his firing.
"Are you kidding me? Because he didn't have a supervisor on the scene?" he said in disbelief. "Again, that's why we believe that it's more incumbent that this video be released. Because I guarantee you that when you see the video, your thoughts won't be ‘Where was the supervisor?'"
Deacon Hollman death: Attorneys on APD firing
The family and attorneys of Johnny Hollman, the 62-year-old deacon who died after being tased by Atlanta Police Officer Kimbrough, say they felt "deflated" when they learned the reason behind his firing. Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said Kimbrough was fired because he failed to have a supervisor on the scene.
Hollman, a 62-year-old deacon at The Lively Stones of God Ministries Church of Atlanta, was driving on Cunningham Place in southwest Atlanta when he was involved in a crash.
The responding police officer found Hollman at fault for the crash and issued him a citation, which Hollman reportedly would not sign.
Hollman allegedly became "non-compliant" when the officer attempted to place him under arrest for refusing to sign the citation and he was tased.
Hollman became unresponsive shortly after and was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Hollman's family has repeatedly called for justice after his death. Although the video of the encounter has not been released to the public, family members have seen the video and say the officer should be charged with murder.
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According to the family's lawyer, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis told him and relatives that the video would be released as soon as Willis concluded that all witnesses have been interviewed.
Hollman was driving home from Bible study at his daughter's house on the night of the incident.
Although it has been reported that the deacon refused to sign the citation, the family's lawyer says that the video will show that Hollman repeatedly agreed to sign the citation.
Hollman's death was ruled a homicide, although the medical examiner found that heart disease contributed to his death.
Kimbrough can be heard on a recording of police radio traffic from that night urging paramedics to come to the scene faster after Hollman passed out. He also mentioned that his own lip was "busted."
Hollman's daughter, Arnita Hollman, was on the phone with her father for 17 minutes that night before she went to the scene of the crash.
The Atlanta City Council called for the release of the video last week. The GBI, which was called in to investigate the incident, asked for the video not to be released until their investigation was complete.
Multiple bags of marijuana, a scale and a gun were among the items found in the vehicle Hollman was driving. However, the gun belonged to one of Hollman's grandsons and there's no evidence that he was aware of the drugs and scale in the vehicle.
The LoRusso Law Firm released the following statement on Officer Kiran Kimbrough's behalf:
"Officer Kiran Kimbrough vehemently denies any wrongdoing or policy violations in connection with the investigation, detention, and arrest of Mr. Johnny Hollman. He will appeal his termination reportedly predicated upon his failure to call for a supervisor when Mr. Hollman refused to sign a lawfully issued citation as he was legally obligated to do. Our client is a decorated law enforcement officer and looks forward to the release of the entire investigation. The loss of any life is tragic. However, Officer Kimbrough’s actions in detaining Mr. Hollman and making a lawful arrest did not cause Mr. Hollman’s death."