Ex-Atlanta police officer who killed Rayshard Brooks granted bond
Source: Los Angeles Times
This screen grab taken from body camera video shows Rayshard Brooks speaking with Officer Garrett Rolfe, left, late Friday, June 12, 2020, in Atlanta.(Atlanta Police Department via Associated Press)
JULY 1, 20202:31 AM
ATLANTA The former Atlanta police officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks can be free on bond while his case is pending, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jane Barwick set bond of $500,000 for Garrett Rolfe, who faces charges including felony murder in the killing of Brooks, a 27-year-old Black man. The shooting by the white officer happened against the backdrop of demonstrations nationwide over police brutality and systemic racism after George Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody.
Appearing via teleconference because of the coronavirus, lawyers for Rolfe argued that, as a native Georgian with strong ties to the community, he was not at risk of fleeing or failing to show up for court and posed no danger to the community. A prosecutor argued that Rolfe, 27, had committed an unjustified fatal shooting and was a flight risk and might intimidate witnesses.
Brooks widow, Tomika Miller, sobbed throughout an emotional plea to the judge, asking her not to grant bond for Rolfe.
Read more: https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-07-01/atlanta-police-officer-killed-rayshard-brooks-granted-bond
secondwind
(16,903 posts)No matter the reason!!!!!!!
melm00se
(4,974 posts)bail is a right. It is not an absolute right but the state has to show the accused is a flight risk or pose a danger to society.
The argument that his actions prove that he is a threat to society would not be applicable here as that the accused has a presumption of innocence.
But never let someone's rights (and yes, I understand that Mr. Brooks had rights too) get in the way of a fit of moral outrage.