This browser does not support the Video element.
Three suspects in 2020 Wendy's arson closer to deal or trial
More than two years after the Fulton County Wendy's burned to the ground during citywide protests over Rayshard Brooks' death, three suspects are much closer to either negotiating a plea deal or going to trial.
ATLANTA - A Fulton County Superior Court judge held a hearing on Wednesday to determine how to proceed in the cases of three people charged with intentionally setting fire to the Wendy’s where police shot and killed Rayshard Brooks in the summer of 2020.
Natalie Hanna White, John Wesley Wade, and Chisom Kingston were indicted in January for setting fire to the Wendy’s restaurant on University Avenue in southwest Atlanta on June 13, 2020. The blaze reduced the building to rubble. Each face two counts of arson and conspiracy to commit arson.
Kingston stood before Judge Eric Dunaway.
"We are fine to proceed forward with this case but would ask that the court leave the possibility of negotiating a resolution open," his attorney told the court.
Chisom Kingston, John Wesley Wade, and Natalie Hanna White (left to right) (Fulton County Sheriff's Office)
His attorney says the prosecution is expected to send him a plea deal for consideration.
"We have an offer, and then it's up to us to go back, discuss the terms of the offer, turn over back and forth, what they call reciprocal discovery, which is obviously some favorable evidence that we have in our possession. And then my understanding is that we'll come back and then have a different conversation after both sides have reviewed both of the discovery videos," said Khalil Eaddy, Attorney for Chisom Kingston, after the hearing.
Judge Dunaway said White's attorney was at a separate trial and unable to make it, although, White briefly joined via Zoom.
"Mr. Finley is currently in trial right now, so we just ask that we just leave negotiations open as we continue to have discussions," the judge said.
White's attorney previously told FOX 5 she did not start the fire.
As for Wadem, Judge Dunaway said he was currently in federal custody and therefore could not attend.
July 14, 2020 - Demolition begins at Wendy's where Rayshard Brooks was killed (FOX 5)
Wendy's restaurant torched during protests over death of Rayshard Brooks
Nearly two full days after the shooting death of Rayshard Brooks, a large group of protesters had gathered around the Wendy’s located along University Avenue, just off the Downtown Connector. Shortly after 9:30 p.m., flames could be seen shooting out of the closed restaurant.
Atlanta Fire Department officials said that the fire at the southwest Atlanta Wendy's started in multiple locations using multiple incendiary methods and devices. Officials estimated that there were at least 10 attempts to set the building on fire.
In video shot that night by FOX 5, a woman can be seen wearing a pink-ish-purple jacket around her waist. She appears to have an aerosol can that she ignites as others smashed windows just seconds before the fast-food restaurant went up in flames.
An attorney said the woman in those images that investigators released is Natalie White, but that she didn't start the fire.
Some smaller fires were seen in the immediate area of the Wendy's as well.
According to the indictment, Wade, White, and Kingston "unlawfully, by means of fire, knowingly and intentionally damaged the building."
The grand jury also found enough evidence to indict the trio with conspiracy to commit arson.
At least 36 people were arrested that evening, but White was apprehended June 22 and Kingston and Wade on July 2.
Officer Garrett Rolfe gives Rayshard Brooks a sobriety test moments before his deadly shooting in southwest Atlanta on June 12, 2020. (Atlanta Police Department)
Who was Rayshard Brooks?
In the midst of a tumultuous summer of protests responding law enforcement killings of Black Americans, an incident in Atlanta caught the nation’s attention.
Rayshard Brooks was a father of four celebrating his daughter’s birthday at an arcade on June 12, 2020, hours before he was killed in the parking lot of an Atlanta Wendy’s. Brooks had fallen asleep in his car in the drive-thru lane of a Wendy’s restaurant.
Brooks was shot dead by Atlanta Police Department Officer Garrett Rolfe, who was performing a DUI test with another officer after Brooks was found sleeping in his car while in line at Wendy’s on University Avenue. Police said Brooks attempted to evade arrest and the officers attempted to deploy their Tasers multiple times.
Brooks took a Taser away from the officer, police said, and then began to run away and eventually was able to use the Taser against the officer. Rolfe allegedly shot Brooks. An autopsy found that Brooks was shot twice in the back.
Rolfe has been charged with murder and other offenses. The other officer, Devin Brosnan, was charged with aggravated assault and violating his oath. Lawyers for both officers have said their clients acted appropriately. They are free on bond.
Rolfe was fired after the shooting but the Atlanta Civil Service Board reversed that dismissal. It found that the city failed to follow its own procedures for disciplinary actions.
The case was handed over to a special prosecutor in July 2021. In August 2022, the prosecutor overseeing the case determined the officers "committed no crimes."
The officers announced lawsuits soon after, seeking monetary damages from the city, the former mayor and police chief. The suit claims the city violated officers’ Constitutional rights.
The shooting came at a time of heightened tension over police brutality and calls for reforms across the U.S. following the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Atlanta was among U.S. cities where large crowds of protesters took to the streets.