Judge Recuses Himself In Trial Of Officer Who Shot Unarmed Man

DECATUR, GA -- DeKalb County Superior Court Judge J.P. Boulee recused himself Monday in the trial of a former DeKalb police officer who is accused of murdering an unarmed Army veteran. Robert Olsen, the officer, shot and killed Anthony Hill on March 9, 2015, when Olsen encountered Hill, who was naked and acting erratically, outside the Heights of Chamblee apartment complex. Hill had stopped taking medications for PTSD when Olsen encountered him.

Olsen's murder trial was set to begin later this month. He has pled not guilty.

Boulee, according to the AJC, recused himself over his sponsorship of a fundraiser to end domestic violence organized by DeKalb D.A. Sherry Boston, who is prosecuting the case. Charges were brought against Olsen by Boston's predecessor, Robert James.

Olsen would be Georgia's first police officer to be tried for murder in five years.

Read more: Cop Who Killed Naked Man Pleads Not Guilty

Olsen, who is white, has said he thought Hill, who was black, was high on drugs and that he feared for his safety. Police say Hill ran toward officers and did not obey commands to stop.

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