Video showing a traffic stop that led to the death of a 62-year-old Black deacon could be publicly released as early as Thursday, a lawyer for the Atlanta man’s relatives said Monday after a meeting with prosecutors.
Relatives of Johnny Hollman Sr., who died Aug. 10 after he was shocked with a stun gun by an Atlanta police officer, have seen the video and contend the officer should be charged with murder.
Mawuli Davis, a lawyer for the Hollman family, said Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis told him and relatives that the video would be publicly released as soon as Willis concludes that all witnesses have been interviewed.
“It’s not a question of if it will be released,” Davis told reporters outside the Fulton County courthouse after the meeting. “It’s now a question of when and how soon.”
Jeff DiSantis, a spokesperson for Willis, did not dispute the release could come as early as Thursday. He said he couldn’t comment on how long it might be before a decision is made on whether to bring charges against Kiran Kimbrough, the officer who stunned Hollman. Davis said he expected the decision on whether to seek an indictment to take months.
Attorney Lance LoRusso confirmed by email Monday that his firm is representing Kimbrough, but he said he didn’t have an immediate comment. Kimbrough is on administrative leave during the investigation.
Hollman became unresponsive while being arrested after a minor car crash. Relatives say Hollman, a church deacon, was driving home from Bible study at his daughter’s house and bringing home fried chicken and an apple pie to his wife for dinner when he collided with another vehicle. Police didn’t arrive until Hollman and the second driver had waited more than an hour.
The Atlanta Police Department has said Kimbrough shocked Hollman with a stun gun and handcuffed him after Hollman “became agitated and uncooperative” when Kimbrough issued a ticket finding him at fault for the wreck. The…
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