Deliberations continue in murder trial of former DeKalb County police officer

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - The third day of jury deliberations in the trial of a former DeKalb County police officer accused of murder began with the judge revealing the jury did not have a copy of jury instructions.

Tuesday is the third day the jury has deliberated the fate of former Officer Robert “Chip” Olsen on a number of charges in the March 2015 shooting death of military veteran Anthony Hill.

The jury is considering charges of felony murder, aggravated assault, violation of oath by a public officer, and making a false statement against Olsen, who could face a sentence of up to life in prison if convicted.

The day began with the revelation that the jury didn’t receive a copy of jury instructions when they began deliberating Friday morning.

Presiding Judge Latisha Dear Jackson call this an innocent mistake.

Jackson told attorneys she believes the documents were placed in a separate pile from other exhibits that were sent back to the jury room.

The judge told the jury what happened, and the documents were given to members as they resumed their deliberations on Tuesday.

The jury indicated before they broke for the day on Monday that they had come to a unanimous decision on some of the charges but could not reach an agreement on other charges.

Jackson ordered them to return on Tuesday to resume their deliberations.

On Tuesday morning, the jury requested to review statutes pertaining to the felony murder and aggravated assault charges.

On Monday, a question asked by the jury may have given some indication of how they are leaning.

Their question to the judge was “if jurors find Robert Olsen guilty on Count 4 (violation of oath of office by a police officer), do they have to also find him guilty of count 2 (felony murder)?’

Jackson told jurors they could find Olsen guilty of the lesser charge and not guilty of felony murder.

Hill, who was an Afghan war veteran who suffered from mental illness, was naked and unarmed when Olsen shot and killed on March 9, 2015 after the officer responded to multiple 911 calls at the Chamblee apartment complex.

Prosecutors maintained Olsen used excessive force but defense attorneys argue he acted in self defense.