An appeals court has overturned the convictions of a former Georgia police officer who shot and killed an unarmed, naked man. The incident occurred in March 2015 when the officer, responding to a call of a naked man behaving erratically at an Atlanta-area apartment complex, fatally shot 26-year-old Anthony Hill, a black Air Force veteran diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The former officer, Robert “Chip” Olsen, claimed he acted in self-defense. In 2019, a jury found Olsen guilty of aggravated assault, violating his oath of office, and making a false statement. However, he was acquitted of felony murder charges and sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by eight years of probation.
The appeals court ruled that the trial court erred in admitting the DeKalb County Police Department’s use of force policy as evidence without redacting conflicting portions. The court emphasized that Georgia law supersedes local policies in cases involving self-defense.
The use of force policy instructs officers to exhaust non-lethal options before resorting to deadly force and requires an immediate threat with no alternative remedy to justify deadly force.
Olsen’s attorney expressed delight at the ruling, stating that the county policy should not override state law on self-defense. The district attorney plans to appeal the decision to the Georgia Supreme Court.
The fatal shooting of Anthony Hill sparked protests and calls for police accountability, with many hoping it would contribute to the national dialogue on police interactions, especially with people of color. Witnesses testified that Hill, who was naked and behaving strangely, was shot by Olsen after running towards the patrol car despite commands to stop.
Prosecutors argued that Olsen used unreasonable and unnecessary deadly force against a mentally distressed, unarmed individual, while the defense maintained that Olsen, facing a rapidly evolving situation, acted in self-defense due to perceived threats to his life.
