Justice4Veterans wants DeKalb DA to resign over shooting of veteran: 'Anthony Hill was an American hero'
Death of veteran Anthony Hill: Calls for DA to resign
A veterans’ organization is outraged that a former police officer has been granted bond and will soon head home after his conviction was overturned. A jury convicted Former DeKalb Police Officer Robert Olson of shooting a naked and unarmed veteran, but the Georgia Court of Appeals reversed the conviction.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - A veterans' organization is calling for the resignation of the DeKalb District Attorney following a judge's decision to grant bond to a former police officer whose conviction was recently overturned.
The officer, Robert Olson, had been convicted for the fatal shooting of Anthony Hill, an unarmed, naked Air Force veteran.
The death of Anthony Hill
The incident, which drew national attention, occurred while Hill was suffering from mental illness. Olson claimed he feared for his life at the time of the shooting.
The murder charge did not stick; Olson was convicted of aggravated assault, violation of oath of office, and making false statements. This past March, the Georgia Court of Appeals overturned the conviction.
"Anthony Hill was an American hero. He was a veteran, twice deployed. He didn’t do anything wrong. He was mentally ill," retired Lt. Col. Amos King exclaimed.
The organization, Justice4Veterans, expressed outrage during a press conference Friday over the $50,000 bond granted to Olson, arguing that the decision was inappropriate given the circumstances.
Robert Olson to be released
Olson has served 4-and-a-half years of his 12-year sentence. The former DeKalb County police officer is expected to be released by this weekend. That decision angers the Justice for Veterans organization.
"His people kept working for him and got the judge to sign off on a bond. What I am told, it probably won’t be long because once you get bond, next comes probation. He will be out walking free. Anthony Hill is gone," King lamented.
Olson’s attorney secured bond on Monday. The DA’s office says it strongly opposed bond and is awaiting a decision from the Georgia Supreme Court on whether they will hear an appeal.
Air Force veteran Anthony Hill, left, and former Dekalb Police Officer Robert Olson, right. (Supplied)
"If you are in charge you are supposed to know what’s going on. Where is the DA? She should be holding news conferences telling the people what happened?" King declared.
The veterans' organization says the case was mishandled from the very beginning and now are calling upon the DeKalb County District Attorney to step down. They also expressed how the county handles mental health calls.
"It's a serious issue, but nobody wants to deal with mental illness. It’s not a black or white thing. We need help," said King.
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Olson’s attorneys say he will be released this weekend with a 7 p. to 7 a.m. curfew, an ankle monitor, and travel restrictions within 100 miles of his home.