Jamie Hood says he wants to take the stand and tell a courtroom about what happened the day police say he shot and killed an Athens police officer.
Authorities allege that in March 2011, Hood shot and killed Athens-Clarke County Senior Police Officer Elmer "Buddy" Christian and injured another officer.
Since the night he was arrested, Hood has repeatedly admitted to the shooting. He is facing the death penalty in the case.
"I want to tell the Christian family the truth about this situation, because if somebody loses their life, especially a police officer, they should at least have the truth told about it," Hood told FOX 5's Justin Gray via telephone on Tuesday.
Courtroom outbursts have become a regular occurrence with Hood. His court-appointed attorneys want a judge to find him mentally incompetent to stand trial. That's why Hood sent a five page, handwritten note to his mother, claiming he is mentally competent.
"I wrestled with it but still love him," said Azalea Hood, Jamie's mother. "I found out through this ordeal what unconditional love is.
Hood's family wants his court-appointed lawyers removed and the attempts to have him declared mentally incompetent stopped.
"I don't want nobody to have no sympathy for me, I want the truth to be told. That's what I want," said Jamie Hood.
Hood is expected to be back in court on Wednesday.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:23 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:23:15 GMT
Robert Champion's parents said Tuesday that Florida A&M University's band shouldn't march next year, even though they've already hired a new band director.
Robert Champion's parents said Tuesday that Florida A&M University's band shouldn't march next year, even though they've already hired a new band director.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-05-21 13:45:59 GMT
It's college graduation time, but before many graduates celebrate, they've got to focus on what comes next.
It's college graduation time, but before many graduates celebrate, they've got to focus on what comes next. With a tight job market, many new grads are getting a dose of reality when it comes to trying to land their first job.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:56 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:56:14 GMT
Police are investigating a suspected rape at North Atlanta High School. Authorities say a male at the school raped a female student on campus during school hours.
Police are investigating a suspected rape at North Atlanta High School. Authorities say a male at the school raped a female student on campus during school hours.
Jamie Hood is accused of shooting and killing an Athens police officer and injured another.
