Ex-Atlanta officer charged in Brooks death granted bond
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 Judge Jane Barwick set a bond of $500,000 for Garrett Rolfe, who faces charges including felony murder in the killing of Brooks, a 27-year-old Black man.
Appearing via teleconference because of the coronavirus, lawyers for Rolfe argued that he is a native Georgian with strong ties to the community who is not at risk of fleeing and is not a danger to the community. A prosecutor argued that Rolfe, 27, was a flight risk and might intimidate witnesses.
Brooks’ wife, Tomika Miller, sobbed to the judge, asking her not to grant bond for Rolfe.
“I say no to it,” she said. “I say no because, mentally, I’m not able to handle it.”
Barwick thanked Miller but said Rolfe “is not a flight risk and I do not believe he is a danger to the community.”