Former cop is granted bond in Brooks case
Rolfe charged with felony murder, 10 other counts
ATLANTA — The former Atlanta police officer charged with fatally shooting Rayshard Brooks can be released on bond, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Fulton County Judge Jane Barwick said she does not believe Garrett Rolfe is a flight risk or would intimidate witnesses.
Barwick set Rolfe's bond at $500,000.
Conditions of the bond include wearing an ankle monitor, honoring a 6 p.m.- 6 a.m. curfew with the exception of work, medical or legal obligations, surrendering his passport, not possessing any firearms, and not having contact with any witnesses or Atlanta police officers.
“There is sufficient convincing factors in front of me that he does have sufficient ties to the community and he is not a flight risk,” Barwick said at the hearing. “I do not believe that he is a danger to the community.”
Rolfe, who was fired from the department, was charged with 11 counts, including felony murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Authorities say Rolfe shot Brooks, a 27-year-old Black man, twice in the back in a Wendy's parking lot near downtown Atlanta on June 12.
Rolfe and Officer Devin Brosnan were responding to a call about Brooks being asleep in his car in the drive-thru lane. Brooks failed a sobriety test and officers tried to handcuff him.
Videos from the scene show Brooks wrestling with the officers and taking one of their Tasers. Brooks aimed the Taser at the officers while running away. The video shows an officer aim his gun at Brooks before Brooks falls to the ground.
Rolfe’s attorney’s argued at the hearing that the shooting was justified and that he was not a threat to the community.
Criminal defense attorney Bill Thomas cited 28 character letters submitted to the court on behalf of Rolfe saying he is professional, trustworthy and a community pillar.
Rolfe was a seven-year veteran of the Atlanta Police Department and has lived in Georgia all his life, Thomas said.