COLUMN: A political stunt

Paul Howard, the District Attorney for Fulton County, Georgia, has charged Atlanta Police Officer Garrett Rolfe with felony murder in the death of Rayshard Brooks. Felony murder could get the death penalty.

There are some details you may not be aware of.

First, Paul Howard is under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for allegations that Howard has supplemented his income inappropriately through a non-profit. Howard set up a non-profit to combat youth violence called People Partnering for Progress. The organization used City of Atlanta funds and paid Howard a $195,000 salary. Howard failed to disclose was the CEO and had been drawing a salary. Howard has also had several accusations of sexual harassment against him.

Second, as a result of the investigation and allegations, Howard is fighting for his political life. He is currently struggling in a runoff election to keep his job. He came in second in the primary behind Fani Willis, who worked as one of Howard’s Assistant District Attorneys. Howard, who has been in office since 1997, has to do something to win.

Third, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is required to conduct an investigation of any officer-involved shooting. That investigation has not yet concluded, the report has not been written, and the District Attorney did not consult with or seek advice from the GBI prior to filing charges.

Two weeks ago, two black police officers smashed the windows of a vehicle and tasered the black college students in the vehicle. The students did not obey orders to stop during the Atlanta protests that had turned violent. The Mayor of Atlanta fired the officers and Paul Howard charged them on the grounds that they had discharged “deadly weapons.” I intentionally mention the races of the parties involved because one of the allegations made against the officers is that they participated in white supremacy culture.

On Tuesday, Howard claimed a taser was not a deadly weapon and Officer Rolfe should, therefore, not have fired his weapon after Brooks tried to shoot Rolfe with the taser. He also claimed Rayshard Brooks was peacefully sleeping in his car, ignoring that Brooks was so intoxicated that he fell asleep in the drive-thru of a Wendy’s restaurant.

Additionally, at the press conference, Howard claimed Rolfe’s partner, Officer Bosnan, would plead guilty and be a witness for the prosecution against Rolfe. Bosnan’s lawyer denies all of that. Bosnan’s lawyer says there will be no guilty plea and no cooperation with the state.

As a result of Howard’s actions, members of Atlanta’s police department began abandoning their posts. It was not an organized walkout across the department, but in various precincts of the city the police stopped responding to calls or did not show up for their shifts.

Howard’s actions are political grandstanding on the backs of these police officers. His actions are always why the state legislature, currently considering hate crimes legislation, should add police officers as a protected class.

Erick Erickson hosts the Erick Erickson Show on News-Talk 940 WMAC