Atlanta
  • Current Conditions
    81°
    Clear
  • 8:00pm
    75°
  • 11:00pm
    69°
Full Forecast » Radar ImageCurrent Radar »
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters
Related To Story

Informant Says He Was Asked To Lie

POSTED: 6:14 pm EST November 27, 2006
UPDATED: 6:32 pm EST November 27, 2006

There is major fallout from the Atlanta Police shootout that left an elderly woman dead – officers are put on leave and the state and the feds are investigating.

Atlanta’s Police Chief announced both the FBI and GBI are investigating the shootout. Also, a narcotics team involved is now on paid leave and autopsy results reveal 88-year-old Kathryn Johnston was shot six times.

Chief Richard Pennington wrapped up a surprise press conference around 5:20 p.m. Monday telling us his entire narcotics unit is on administrative leave – that means seven officers and one sergeant are on leave after the police shootout that left Kathryn Johnston dead.

Now, Chief Pennington confirmed there are questions as to whether there was ever a drug buy at Kathryn Johnston’s home – the informant told the Internal Affairs Unit he was told to lie.

“Officers are saying one thing – confidential informant is saying something else,” said Chief Richard Pennington.

Chief Pennington dropped several bomb shells at a press conference Monday evening. He tells us his entire narcotics unit will be placed on administrative leave after last Tuesday’s police shootout that left 88-year-old Kathryn Johnston dead and three officers wounded.

In search warrants obtained by Channel 2, investigators say a confidential informant made an undercover buy at Johnston’s home -- $50 worth of crack cocaine.

Johnston’s family and community leaders were outraged, claiming no such drug deal could have happened because Johnston lived alone in her Northwest Atlanta home.

Now, Chief Pennington confirmed there are questions as to whether that drug buy ever happened.

When Pennington was asked if it was his understanding that the informant was told to lie about a possible drug purchase, Chief Pennington replied, “Yes. According to the informant, after we brought that informant in and interviewed that informant, he told us he had no knowledge of going into that house and purchasing drugs.”

From here, the FBI is taking over the investigation and the GBI will process the crime scene on Neal Street – Johnston’s home. The U.S. Justice Department will also be conducting their own independent investigation. Chief Richard Pennington announcing no stone will be unturned and said they will review their policies on “no-knock” warrants and using confidential and reliable informants.


Market Place

Sponsor Links

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Teens and sleep, benefits of naps, older people and sleep, snoring. See nine sleep myths debunked right here. More Details

The right shrubs can transform your yard into an inviting and beautiful space. Find out which kinds are best for you. More Details

If you have aspirations of becoming a millionaire, check out these five habits that may be worth emulating. More Details

Whether you’re new to working out or an experienced work out warrior, most people make the same mistakes when it comes to their routine. More Details

Like online video? Then you'll love Now See This.

My Fun

Car
Joe Wigdahl via Getty Images
A car can be more than just a practical means of taking you from point A to point B; it can also make a statement about who you are. More Details


Credit Center

Your Credit Score Changes Often. Click Here for Your Latest Credit Score & Report.View it Online for $0.
Experian

your early warning neighborhood

Your Early Warning Neighborhood Forecast service just got better! Now, you can get the latest information from Channel 2 Action News along with weather warnings and forecast delivered directly to your desktop. More Details


Back To Top