Ex-cops apologize for deadly drug raid (that killed 92 yr old woman) ahead of sentencing

[Liberal_in_LA]

Ex-cops apologize for deadly drug raid ahead of sentencing

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/02/23/atlanta.police.sentencing/index.html

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- A former police officer tearfully apologized Monday for his role in an elderly Atlanta woman's shooting death during a botched drug raid, and another told a judge he prays daily for the victim.

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Investigators later determined the raid was based on falsified paperwork stating that illegal drugs were present in the home. The killing prompted a major overhaul of the Atlanta police drug unit.

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Police said Johnston fired at them with an old pistol during the raid, and they shot back in self-defense. Johnston's one shot went through her front door and over the officers' heads; they responded with 39 shots, hitting Johnston five times.

"Her death was the foreseeable culmination of a long-standing conspiracy in which the officers violated their oaths of office," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon-Peter Kelly said, according to CNN affiliate WSB. The officers "regularly swore falsely" to get warrants and make cases, he said.

Federal prosecutors said officers cut corners to make more time for lucrative side jobs providing additional security to businesses, often while on duty and for cash payments.

[Smith_3]

1. Life in prison for all of them. nt

[Selatius]

2. I am frankly surprised the article omitted any fact that this was a "no-knock" search warrant.

They did not announce themselves as officers before busting down her door. She shot at them in self-defense before they cut her down with a wall of bullets. Turns out the warrant they obtained was fraudulent. They mistakenly identified her home as the home of a suspected crack dealer.

http://lastfreevoice.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/dirty-cop-convicted-in-no-knock-warrant-death-of-92-year-old-woman/

[democracy1st]

3. thanks for the info

[malaise]

4. Why are you surprised?

Don't you know that cops don't have to announce themselves in African-American communities. :sarcasm:

[RebelOne]

5. I live in the Atlanta area and the first time I read about this,

I was outraged. These cops should be put away for a long time, but I doubt they will do much time. I think the maximum sentence is about 10 years.