Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
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On the evening of November 21, 2006, 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston was shot and killed in her Neal Street home in northwest Atlanta during a police narcotics raid carried out under a no-knock warrant. The officers were plainclothes members of a narcotics squad; fearing an invasion, Ms. Johnston armed herself with an old pistol and fired one shot over the officers’ heads as they forced entry. The officers returned fire with 39 bullets, killing her.

Investigators later determined the raid had been based on false information supplied by an informant after pressure from officers. No drugs were found in the house; officers planted marijuana seized earlier in the day and pressured the informant to claim a purchase had been made there. The officers’ injuries were attributed to friendly fire rather than Ms. Johnston’s single shot.

Three officers — Jason R. Smith, Gregg Junnier, and Arthur Tesler — later pleaded guilty to state and federal charges including conspiracy to violate civil rights resulting in death, voluntary manslaughter, and making false statements. Smith admitted planting drugs and pressuring the informant and received the longest sentence. The city of Atlanta settled with Johnston’s estate for $4.9 million.

Did anyone in the neighborhood see activity at the house that night or have information about the raid?