Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Atlanta Will Pay $4.9M in Wrongful Death of 92-Year-Old

Cops killed grandma, planted drugs on her

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 16, 2010 5:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – The city of Atlanta has settled with the family of a 92-year-old woman killed in an illegal police raid, agreeing to cough up $4.9 million in damages. Mayor Kasim Reed said the settlement allows the city and police department to close the door on the controversial shooting, which caused "several police officers (to be) indicted in federal and state court and later convicted and sentenced for their actions." Reed noted that the narcotics unit has since undergone substantial reforms.

Kathryn Johnston was the victim of overzealous and corrupt narcotics officers, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who performed a "no-knock" raid on her home after an informant said that drugs were being sold there. Johnston fired one shot from a handgun she kept in the house and was summarily killed. Officers then planted drugs in the house.

Prosecutor John Peter Kelly speaks as former Atlanta cops Gregg Junnier, left, Arthur Tesler, back center,  and Jason Smith, right, look on during a sentencing hearing on Monday, Feb, 23, 2009.
Prosecutor John Peter Kelly speaks as former Atlanta cops Gregg Junnier, left, Arthur Tesler, back center, and Jason Smith, right, look on during a sentencing hearing on Monday, Feb, 23, 2009.   (AP Photo/Richard Miller)
This undated file photo released by the family shows 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston.
This undated file photo released by the family shows 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston.   (AP Photo/Courtesy of Johnston Family, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
5%
1%
60%
5%
26%
3%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 36 comments
youngblood
Aug 18, 2010 6:15 PM CDT
I see that the woman is black and that the cops are white and it took place in Atlanta. Does anyone really wonder why this happened?!
MDD
Aug 17, 2010 4:28 AM CDT
All Police narcotics units as well as the DEA should be shut down!! A complete waste of our TAX dollars!!
Indysha
Aug 17, 2010 4:11 AM CDT
Broke in her home? Killed her? Falsely planted drugs? In America we have gotten so far away from the people really running this country. The tail has been wagging the dog for a long time. It's sad that police can do this and get away because of their badges and government employment. In Indianapolis we have an officer that has killed a motorcyclist and indured 3 others while drunk in his squad car. It's horrible that if an individual commited such crimes we would never see the light of day but if you are a police officer, politician or any other government official things can just be swept under the rug. I hope the people of the United States start trying to take the country back before it's too late! Maybe it is? Did the officers even go to jail?
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne