Murder Trial Begins for Former Cop Who Fatally Shot Unarmed Veteran [VIDEO]

*It’s been four years since the shooting death of military veteran Anthony Hill. Now, the trial has begun for the former DeKalb County police officer who shot him.

Hill’s mom spoke lovingly about her son in a brief testimony on Thursday, noting that he “was very peaceful,” Carolyn Giummo said.

The day he was fatally shot by Robert Olsen on March 9, 2015, Hill, who suffered from PTSD and other mental health issues, was experiencing a moment of crisis and clearly in need of help. According to reports, he was naked and unarmed and said to be happy that 911 was called on him, 11alive.com reports. 

“Good, the police are my friends,” Hill said, according to DeKalb County prosecutor Buffy Thomas. When Olsen responded to the call, he claims Hill rushed him and gave him mere seconds to react.

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‘He was very peaceful’: Those close to Anthony Hill were in disbelief at shooting https://t.co/1oKqG4oMji

— 11Alive News (@11AliveNews) September 27, 2019

“Anthony Hill had his hands up, his arms up as he’s running,” Thomas argued. “And then his arms were by his side, hands visible, he was stark naked, he had no clothes on, nowhere to hide a weapon, no weapon in his hand, he never uttered a word as he’s running toward the officer.”

Defense attorney Don Samuel countered that Olsen acted cautiously throughout the incident.

“He doesn’t yell at Mr. Hill, he doesn’t give him orders, doesn’t scream at him to get down, put your hands behind your back, nothing like that,” Samuel said. “He just keeps the situation calm, waiting for backup, no blue lights, no orders, no contact at all.”

Samuel described Olsen as being “scared to death” in a situation where he was not aware of Hill’s military service or mental health issues.

“Here he’s been summoned in a hurry, get there, people are scared,” Samuel said. “He gets out of his car and this man is running at him naked.”

“And he pulls out his gun and he points and he yells, ‘Stop! Stop!’ And he doesn’t stop. He doesn’t even slow down,” Samuel added.

According to one witness, Hill appeared to be “attacking” the officer, however, Olsen reportedly never told investigators that he was in fearful of Hill.

“He never tells them he was afraid. He never tells them he was scared of Anthony Hill,” said Thomas. “He never says he tried to attack me. He never says he threatened me. He never says he tried to take my weapon. He never says I thought he was going to take my weapon. He never says that he feared for his safety. He never says he feared for his life.”

“Not once did the words fear, afraid, scared, attack, threaten, pass this man’s lips,” she added. Instead, she noted that Olsen was merely “uncomfortable.”

“He wasn’t afraid, he was uncomfortable with this naked man running at him and because he was uncomfortable, his actions in using deadly force were unnecessary,” she argued. “Not only were they unnecessary, they were unreasonable and they were unjustified.”

“And unfortunately they cannot be undone,” she added.

Olsen is charged with two counts of felony murder and 4 other offenses, including aggravated assault, violation of oath of office and making false statement.

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