One year later, family of man fatally tased by cop still seeking justice
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Johnny Hollman Sr. died Aug. 10, 2023, after he was tased by a police officer. Photo: Davis Bozeman Johnson Law
Saturday marks one year since Johnny Hollman Sr. died after being tased by a former Atlanta cop, and his family is still not only campaigning for justice, but also working to make sure his death does not fade from the city's collective memory.
Why it matters: Hollman's death following a traffic stop sparked protests, resulted in the firing of officer Kiran Kimbrough and led to the Atlanta Police Department changing its policy on how it issues citations.
What they're saying: Family members are planning to privately honor the life and legacy of their patriarch, daughter Arnitra Hollman told Axios.
- A few months ago, the family launched the #whataboutthedeacon campaign to keep Hollman's death in the public eye.
- "A lot of people still don't know that August the 10th of 2023 was the worst day of our lives," Hollman told Axios. "So we want people to understand that, and we want people to be aware and to tell his story because what happened to him shouldn't have happened to him."
Catch up quick: Hollman, who was chairman of the deacon ministry at Lively Stones of God Ministries, was driving home from Bible study when he was involved in a traffic collision on Lowery Boulevard at Cunningham Place in southwest Atlanta.
- Kimbrough responded to the crash and later determined Hollman, 62, was at fault.
- After disagreeing with the officer's decision, Hollman agreed to sign the ticket and as he reached for it, Kimbrough grabbed his arm and wrestled him to the ground.
During the struggle, Kimbrough told Hollman to put his hands behind his back, but Hollman repeatedly said, "I can't breathe."
- Kimbrough tased Hollman, who became unresponsive, then called for backup.
- EMS crews tried to revive him at the scene, but Hollman was pronounced dead at the hospital.
- An autopsy determined Hollman died from an abnormal heart rhythm caused by the use of the taser.
Kimbrough was fired in October for failing to follow the department's policy of having a supervisor on the scene before he tried to arrest Hollman.
- Following the incident, the APD changed its ticketing policy to allow officers to write "refusal to sign" instead of arresting drivers who don't sign a citation.
- The GBI investigated the officer-involved tasing death, and the case file was handed over to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office.
- The city of Atlanta In May settled with Hollman's family for $3.8 million.
Between the lines: Mawuli Davis, the attorney representing Hollman's family, told Axios that the family also wants to change a system that tells people "that Deacon Holloman life didn't matter, and that the area and community that he was patrolling, could be patrolled in the way that it was."
What we're watching: Arnitra Hollman told Axios that family members about a month ago met with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who told them the case was a "top priority."
- Assistant District Attorney Jeff DiSantis told Axios the office can't comment on the case, but said it's being investigated by the office's Civil Rights Division.
- "I just trust God, I trust the process and I know we're going to see justice," she said. "And I know justice will be served."