Ex-Atlanta officer who killed Brooks out on $500K bond
— The form er 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 a bond of $500,000 for Gar- rett Rolfe, who faces charges including felony murder in the killing of Brooks, a 27-yearold Black man. The shoot- ing by the white officer hap- pened against the backdrop of demonstrations nation- wide over police brutality and systemic racism after George Floyd died under a Minneapolis officer’s knee.
Appearing via teleconfer- ence because of the coronavi- rus, lawyers for Rolfe argued that he is a native Georgian with strong ties to the com- munity who is not at risk of fleeing or failing to show up for court and is not a danger to the community. A prosecutor argued that Rolfe, 27, had committed an unjustified fatal shooting and was aflight risk and might intim- idate witnesses.
Brooks’ wife, Tomika Miller, sobbed throughout an emo- tional plea 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, noting that her appearance required a lot of bravery, but said she found that Rolfe met the conditions required for bond. The judge said Rolfe “is not a flight risk and I do not believe he is a danger to the community.”
The conditions of his bond include wearing an ankle monitor, complying with a curfew, surrendering his passport, not possessing any guns and having no contact with victims, witnesses or Atlanta police officers.
Police body cameras showed Rolfe and another officer having a calm and respectful conversation with Brooks for more than 40 minutes after complaints that Brooks had fallen asleep in his car in a Wendy’s drivethru lane on June 12.
But when officers told him he’d had too much to drink to be driving and tried to handcuff him, Brooks resisted. A struggle was caught on dash camera video. Brooks grabbed one of their Tasers and fled, firing the Taser at Rolfe as he ran away.
An autopsy found Brooks was shot twice in the back.
During Tuesday’s hearing, one of Rolfe’s attorneys, Noah Pines, denied the district attorney’s accusations that Rolfe shouted “I got him!” and kicked Brooks after shooting him. Pines called on Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard to release video of the alleged kick. Howard had made the allegations when he announced the charges five days after Brooks’ death.
Executive Assistant District Attorney Clint Rucker said video footage shows Rolfe’s kick and a witness confirmed that it happened.
Rolfe was fired shortly after the shooting and the other officer, Devin Brosnan, was placed on desk duty. The police chief stepped down less than 24 hours after the shooting.