A new judge presided over a court hearing Friday involving accused cop killer Jamie Hood.
Hood has admitted killing Athens-Clarke County Police Officer Buddy Christian and wounding Officer Tony Howard in March 2011.
Hood told Clark County Superior Court Judge Patrick Haggard that public defender lawyers had tried to present a false defense.
"I know what I did and why I done it. I told my attorneys what I did and why I done it," Hood said on Friday.
Haggard recently took over the case, replacing the previous trial judge who was removed because he knew the surviving officer and his family.
"If there is something you need me to consider regarding your representation, get with your counsel about filing an appropriate motion for that," Haggard told Hood.
But Hood went a step further, asking Judge Haggard to acknowledge that the judge's father was murdered 20 years ago.
"I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt sir, but I'm going to tell you this here: I'm willing to face the death sentence before I come in here and let someone railroad me," Hood said.
The judge said it was his job to give Hood a fair trial and he intended to do that. An arraignment is expected to be scheduled in coming weeks.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:32 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:32:36 GMT
Testimony continued Wednesday in a Fulton County courtroom in the case of a Sandy Springs man accused of gunning down his wife.
Testimony continued Wednesday in a Fulton County courtroom in the case of a Sandy Springs man accused of gunning down his wife. Prosecutors say Michael Parson shot his wife, Adina, eight times in April 2012 outside their apartment.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:28:25 GMT
Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert for a 1-year-old girl after she was found safe.
Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert for a 1-year-old girl after she was found safe. They say 1-year-old Annya Buchannon was in the back of a car that was stolen just after midnight from the Playskool Daycare on Conley Road in Forest Park.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:24 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:24:23 GMT
Atlanta fire crews are battling a huge, two-alarm blaze at an automotive business downtown.
Atlanta fire crews battled a huge, two-alarm blaze at an automotive business downtown on Wednesday morning. Authorities say the fire sparked at United Transmission Service, which is located at 350 Marietta Street NW.
State Representative Tyrone Brooks appeared in federal court on Wednesday morning to answer to fraud charges. Brooks pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Judge Alan Baverman.
State Representative Tyrone Brooks appeared in federal court on Wednesday morning to answer to fraud charges.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:53 AM EDT2013-05-22 15:53:01 GMT
Five people made a quick escape from a MARTA bus just before it was hit by a train Tuesday morning.
Five people made a quick escape from a MARTA bus just before it was hit by a train Wednesday morning. Fire crews say the bus stalled on the railroad tracks in downtown Decatur, and those onboard had just seconds to get out before an oncoming train hit it.
The Gainesville City Council is moving ahead with a study to determine the feasibility of a new convention center and hotel in the northeast Georgia city.
The Gainesville City Council is moving ahead with a study to determine the feasibility of a new convention center and hotel in the northeast Georgia city.
Jamie Hood appeared in court on Friday, December 7, 2012.
