Family meets with Fulton County District Attorney Willis

ATLANTA – The family of church deacon Johnny Hollman, who died during a traffic stop in Atlanta, met with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on Tuesday.

The family is demanding arrests and criminal charges in Hollman’s death, not only against the former police officer who used a Taser on him, but also against the tow truck driver who helped subdue him.

PREVIOUS STORY: Johnny Hollman’s death: Family of deacon killed during traffic stop seeks prosecution of officer

Atlanta Deacon Dies During Traffic Stop In Atlanta

On August 10, 2023, Hollman was in an accident near Cunningham and Joseph E. Lowery boulevards. An Atlanta police officer determined that Hollman was at fault and wrote him a ticket. The officer claims that Hollman became frustrated, agitated, and uncooperative.

A body camera worn by the officer captured the incident. The footage was released three months after the incident.

“You’re not going to yell at me. Do you understand what I’m saying? Now, either you sign the ticket or you’re going to jail,” Officer Kiran Kimbrough tells Hollman in the video.

The 62-year-old man was repeatedly tasered after refusing to sign a ticket, causing an abnormal heart rhythm and his death.

Kimbrough would later be fired from the Atlanta Police Department.

WARNING: Police body camera video may be disturbing to some viewers.

Tow truck driver intervenes during road check of deacon

The deacon’s family also blamed Eric Robinson, the driver of the S&W tow truck. They say Robinson interfered in the encounter by sitting on the deacon’s head and neck.

The family says Prosecutor Willis told them his public integrity unit needed more time to investigate his involvement.

“I’m optimistic and hopeful. I’ve prayed about it. I’ve talked to God about it. I know charges will be filed. I know we’re going to see justice,” Arnitra Hollman said.

RELATED: Deacon Johnny Hollman’s Community Barbecue

Hollman family criticizes lawmakers

The family criticizes state lawmakers who they say have made it more difficult to prosecute officers.

“You have to do better to make these laws. You have to do better to help families like ours get the prosecutions that we need. You can’t tie the hands of prosecutors and expect them to do their job to help these families. We are heartbroken,” Arnitra Hollman said passionately.

Hollman’s death was ruled a homicide, and although the Atlanta City Council approved a $3.8 million settlement, no charges were filed.

After Hollman’s death, the Atlanta Police Department revised its ticketing procedures to avoid arresting people who refuse to sign traffic tickets.

Officers will now write “refusal to sign” on the signature line and issue a copy of the charges instead of physically arresting the driver.

The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office has not given a specific date for a decision on charges against him. The prosecutor declined to comment when asked by FOX 5.