ATHENS, Ga. — The prosecution in the case of accused Athens cop killer Jamie Hood announced it could rest its case Friday. Hood would then begin calling his defense witnesses.
Thursday, the prosecution played video of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation interview with Hood taken minutes after he surrendered to police live on Channel Two Action News.
Hood is on trial for killing Athens-Clarke County police Officer Elmer "Buddy" Christian and wounding Officer Tony Howard. He has admitted to the shootings in open court.
In the video taken in March 2011, Hood is heard admitting to shooting both officers. He expresses regret for killing Christian.
"I was just shooting at the dude," Hood said in the video. "I ain't know who he was. Honestly, I didn't know him. It's a game we're playing, the bad guys and the good guys. The police are the good guys, the heroes."
Hood made no apologies for shooting Howard. He insists there is bad blood between Howard and his own family.
The GBI agents convinced Hood to pen an apology letter to Christian's family.
"To the Christian family," Hood wrote. "My name is Jamie Hood. I'm the man who shot Buddy. I would like to apologize for my actions, because he did not deserve that. I never knew Buddy or had any problems with him. I just seen him at the wrong time and the wrong situation. I know you and your loved ones don't like me right now, and I do understand, but I want you to know that I regret that moment, because no innocent person deserved to be hurt. I just met Buddy at the wrong time and the wrong situation."
Hood told the two GBI agents in the interview room, "That's from the heart, dog."
Hood is trying to convince the jury the shootings were somehow justified.
Hood expresses regret for killing officer
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