May 25, 2013
A man has pleaded not guilty to killing an Athens police officer and wounding another officer in 2011.
Jamie Hood was arraigned Friday on a 70-count indictment that charges with him with fatally shooting Officer Elmer "Buddy" Christian and wounding Police Officer Tony Howard.
He was also charged with shooting and killing 30-year-old Kenneth Omari Wray in 2010.
Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney Ken Mauldin has filed notice that his office intends to seek the death penalty.
Defense attorney Newell Hamilton questioned his client's competency to stand trial.
The Athens Banner-Herald reports that Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard has given attorneys 30 days to prepare for a motion hearing.
One issue will be the defendant's mental competency.
