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Fulton County Jail
Garrett Rolfe (left), accused of killing Rayshard Brooks and Devin Brosnan, the other officer on the scene.
A judge released bail on a former Atlanta police officer accused of killing an African-American man in a restaurant parking lot earlier this month.
Garrett Rolfe, now free on $ 500,000 (£ 403,000) bail, faces 11 charges, including murder, in the death of Rayshard Brooks, 27, on June 12.
Brooks’ widow implored the judge not to post bail, arguing that Rolfe was a danger to the community.
Brooks’s death fueled protests against racism in the United States.
He was shot while fleeing from Mr. Rolfe and another white officer. Mr. Brooks had just failed a sobriety test. When officers attempted to arrest him, he hit Mr. Rolfe, seized his partner’s Taser, and then appeared to shoot the electric pistol at Mr. Rolfe while chasing him, according to the images.
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Reuters
Rayshard Brooks, 27, the father of three daughters and one stepson, was killed on June 12.
Brooks’ widow Tomika Miller spoke at the bail hearing Tuesday by video.
Through tears, she told Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jane Barwick that Mr. Rolfe “has already shown that he is a danger to the community.”
“My husband did not deserve to die, and he should not live in fear as I wait for the man who killed my husband to be tried in court.”
Miller said Brooks was a loving father and that he had died on their daughter’s birthday and the day before the couple’s anniversary.
Judge Barwick thanked Ms. Miller for her bravery, but said Mr. Rolfe was not a flight risk and did not believe that he posed a danger to the community.
- The fight that cost Rayshard Brooks’ life
- They filmed police brutality and then faced a backlash
Prosecutors requested a $ 1 million bond plus conditions: Mr. Rolfe’s phone access code, his passport and firearms, as well as the installation of a curfew, which requires an ankle monitor and prohibits contact with Atlanta police, witnesses, or victims.
Rolfe’s attorneys, who argue that he acted in self-defense, had requested bail of $ 50,000. They also denied prosecutors’ allegation that Rolfe kicked Brooks while he lay on the ground.
Rolfe won’t have had to pay half a million dollars to get free. Bail in the United States generally costs around 10-15% of the total bond amount.
Judge Barwick denied the access code request, but approved the other conditions set by prosecutors.
Rolfe also appeared during the conference call hearing, but did not speak.
Officers responded on June 12 to a call from a Wendy’s fast food restaurant employee that an apparently intoxicated customer, Mr. Brooks, had fallen asleep in his car, blocking an access lane.
Images from police cameras showed Brooks complying with officers for more than 40 minutes before fighting to break free as they tried to handcuff him.
Last week, a woman referred to by Mr. Brooks during the arrest as his girlfriend was charged with arson fire.
The night after Mr. Brooks was shot, the restaurant was set on fire in alleged retaliation for the 911 call that led to his death.
Natalie White, 29, did not file a guilty plea during her court appearance and was placed under house arrest on $ 10,000 bail.
