Former Atlanta police officer testifies in shootout trial

The Associated Press

ATLANTA --

A former Atlanta police officer has testified that another narcotics officer lied under oath to obtain a "no-knock" warrant to search the house of a 92-year-old woman who was killed in a shootout with police.

Former police Detective Gregg Junnier told a Fulton County Superior Court jury Thursday that Officer Jason Smith lied to get the warrant to search Kathryn Johnston's home, saying a reliable informant had bought cocaine from the woman's home.

Junnier testified at the trial of one of his former partners, Arthur Tesler. Police fired 39 shots, killing Johnston on November 21st, 2006. Investigators say the woman fired one round.

Junnier and Smith have pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. Tesler is charged with lying in an official investigation, violating his oath as an officer and false imprisonment.

Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com