The Liberty Papers

One of the officers involved in the Kathryn Johnston shooting will be charged with murder and more:

Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard will seek felony murder charges against at least one of the Atlanta police officers involved in a botched drug raid that resulted in the shooting death of an elderly woman, the officer’s attorney said.

Defense attorney Rand Csehy, who is representing Gregg Junnier, said he had received an e-mail from Howard’s office Wednesday saying the prosecutor would go before a grand jury on Feb. 26 to seek charges against his client.

It was unclear Wednesday evening whether charges were being sought against other police officers. Eight Atlanta officers were put on administrative leave after the shooting. The November incident prompted a multi-jurisdictional investigation that included state and federal authorities.

Csehy responded angrily to the threat of an indictment against his client. “It’s an overbroad indictment,” he said.

I think a felony murder charge is a bit over the top, manslaughter and trespassing sound more levelheaded. Murder implies an intent to kill. I don’t believe they had a premeditated intent to kill Kathryn Johnston.

Paul Howard is a terrible district attorney and I have no doubt in my mind that he will drop the ball on this no matter how he chooses to pursue it.