Atlanta City Council approves $3.8 million settlement with family of deacon who died after being charged by police officer

The Atlanta City Council voted Monday to reach a $3.8 million settlement with the family of Johnny Hollman, a church deacon who died after being arrested by a police officer during a fight at the scene of a road accident.

In January, Hollman’s family filed a federal lawsuit against the city, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum and former police officer Kiran Kimbrough. The family alleged that Kimbrough used excessive force when he tried to get Hollman to sign a citation stating that he was at fault for a car accident that occurred on August 10, 2023.

The excessive force used by Kimbrough violated Hollman’s constitutional rights, according to the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

The family agreed to the $3.8 million settlement to drop all claims against the defendants, according to the order approved by the board after a brief executive session.

Chief Schierbaum fired Kimbrough two months after Hollman’s death. An internal investigation found that Kimbrough violated standard operating procedure when he did not have a supervisor on scene before making the physical arrest after Hollman failed to sign the accident citation.

APD also changed its policy and directed officers not to stop motorists who refused to sign a traffic citation. Officers are now writing that one person refused to sign tickets.

Body camera footage shows Kimbrough tased Hollman, 62, several times during his arrest, despite Hollman repeatedly saying, “I can’t breathe.” A medical examiner ruled Hollman’s death a homicide, but also said a heart condition contributed to his death.

The body camera footage was released by the Fulton County Prosecutor’s Office after Hollman’s family requested its release. The city council also approved a resolution asking the district attorney’s office to release the body camera footage.

The Fulton DA and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are still investigating the incident to determine whether Kimbrough should face criminal charges.

“On behalf of my brothers and sisters and our entire family, we want to thank everyone in Atlanta who has supported us in our fight for justice for our father,” said Arnitra Hollman, daughter of Johnny Hollman and spokesperson. word of the family, in a press release. written statement.

“The students, clergy, organizers and artists who prayed, marched and stood with us were a true blessing. We are grateful that Mayor Dickens and the City Council have brought this part of our fight for justice to an end,” she said. “We will continue to demand the arrest of those responsible for our father’s death. »

Harold Spence of the Dave Bozeman Johnson Law Firm and attorney for the Hollman family said in a written statement that the city “unquestionably did the right thing” in approving the settlement.

Muwali Davis, another attorney for the Hollman family, said in a written statement that the settlement allows the family to focus on healing “from the devastating and senseless loss of their beloved father.”

He also praised the community’s support for the Hollman family.

“The people stood by this courageous family. Deacon Hollman was a son of Atlanta who loved this city, and his family is fighting for the city to recognize that what happened to him shouldn’t have,” Davis said. “Even though this part of their fight is coming to an end, this fight for justice will not end until criminal charges are filed. »

This story has been updated with comments from the Hollman family and their attorneys.