Former Dekalb County police officer Robert Olsen (left) and Air Force veteran Anthony Hill (right)
A Georgia police officer still faces criminal charges, including felony murder, stemming from the 2015 shooting death of a mentally ill Black man in Decatur.
According to Atlanta’s 11Alive, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge J.P. Boulee denied a motion Tuesday to drop charges against former DeKalb County Police Officer Robert Olsen, who shot and killed 27-year-old Anthony Hill in March of last year.
Olsen fatally wounded Hill, an Air Force veteran, while responding to a domestic disturbance call at a DeKalb County apartment complex. Upon arrival, the officer found the veteran roaming naked around the community and exhibiting “odd” behavior. Hill’s family asserted that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and was likely having a manic episode at the time.
While officers tried to subdue him, Olsen claimed Hill lunged toward him, prompting him to fire two shots at the veteran. Hill ultimately died from his injuries. The disgraced officer was indicted for the deadly shooting in January 2016. He pleaded not guilty.
Early last month, Olsen’s lawyers filed a motion for the judge to dismiss the charges against their client on a technicality. Their motion argued that the court violated grand jury secrecy by allowing extra, unnecessary people to be present during the proceeding. Thus, the indictment against Olsen should be dismissed.
“It was like a circus at times,” said Don Samuel, the officer’s defense attorney.
According to ABC News, the order issued by Judge Boulee Tuesday asserted that there were no grounds under Georgia law on which to dismiss Olsen’s indictment. The former officer is charged with two counts of felony murder, making false statements, aggravated assault and two oath of public office violations in connection with the deadly shooting, 11Alive reports.
Hill’s family is still seeking justice in his death.
