Thirty second Piggly Wiggly robber on the run

Submitted by Julie Wolfe, 11Alive Reporter

Wednesday, August 5th, 2015, 3:18pm

ATHENS, Ga. -- Athens-Clarke County Police are searching for the man who robbed a crowded Piggly Wiggly in less than a minute.

The grocery store on North Avenue was crowded with customers at 3:20 p.m. last Friday. Sgt. Mark Malueg told 11Alive's Julie Wolfe the man walked up to the customer service desk, pointed a handgun at an employee and demanded money.

The Piggly Wiggly employee handed over cash and the man calmly walked away. The other customers and employees didn't realize what was happening until after he left through the front doors. Sgt. Malueg said it only took about 30 seconds.

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Jamie Hood sentenced to life in prison without parole

Submitted by 11Alive News Staff

Friday, July 24th, 2015, 6:15pm

ATHENS, Ga. -- A judge concurred with the recommendation of a jury Friday afternoon and sentenced Jamie Hood to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of an Athens-Clarke County police officer.

After a month-long trial, Hood was convicted on 36 of 70 charges, including murder in the 2011 fatal shooting of Athens-Clarke County Senior Police Officer Elmer "Buddy" Christian. Hood was also convicted of shooting and injuring Officer Tony Howard in 2011, and killing suspected drug dealer Kenneth Omari Wray in December 2010.

Hood admitted to shooting the officers, but claimed it was in self-defense.

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Submitted by 11Alive News Staff

Thursday, July 23rd, 2015, 5:52pm

ATHENS, Ga. – Jamie Hood continued to make the case to save his life in the death penalty phase of his trial Thursday.

A jury found Hood guilty of 36 charges, including the shooting death of Athens-Clarke County Elmer "Buddy" Christian. He was also convicted of shooting and injured another officer, Tony Howard, and killing Kenneth Omari Wray.

Hood's mother was among the character witnesses he called to testify on his behalf Thursday.

"If he could help me, if you go to him and you need something, if he got it, he would help you," said Azalee Hood.

Hood also brought the mothers of his nieces and nephew and the parents of kids he's coached as character witnesses.

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Submitted by 11Alive News Staff

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015, 5:46pm

ATHENS, GA (WXIA) – Heartbreaking testimony came from friends and relatives of the victims of convicted killer Jamie Hood in court on Wednesday, during the first day of the penalty phase of Hood's trial.

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In the sentencing phase of the trial, both sides are able to bring forward people to speak.

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Jamie Hood found guilty in murder of police officer

Submitted by 11Alive News Staff

Monday, July 20th, 2015, 9:37pm

ATHENS, Ga. -- After deliberating for less than one full day, a jury found Jamie Hood guilty in the death of an Athens-Clarke County police officer.

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Hood was found guilty in 36 of 70 counts, including charges in the March 22, 2011 fatal shooting of Athens-Clarke County Senior Police Elmer "Buddy" Christian and the wounding of Officer Tony Howard.

Hood, who represented himself in the trial, has admitted to shooting the officers, but claimed he did so in self-defense.

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Submitted by Kevin Rowson, 11Alive Reporter

Saturday, July 18th, 2015, 8:15pm

ATHENS, Ga. -- After weeks of testimony, the jury will soon get the case of accused cop-killer Jamie Hood.

Both sides made their closing arguments to the jury, Saturday.

11Alive was in court to bring the latest details from the case.

Whether it was opening statements, testimony or summation, Hood rambled – at times incoherently – to the jury about his defense in this case.

He described it as "alibi and justification."

"Now let me tell you all something. When I say justification, I'm in no means saying it's okay to do what I done," Hood said. "I'm not saying my defense is justification to say it's okay. I'm showing you why."

He said it was police corruption and that an officer "misused his badge" to set in motion a deadly chain of events in 2011.

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Submitted by 11Alive News Staff

Friday, July 17th, 2015, 5:48pm

ATHENS, Ga. – Confessed cop killer Jamie Hood took the stand in his own defense on Friday.

Hood, who is defending himself, has admitted to shooting and killing Athens Clarke County Police Officer Elmer "Buddy" Christian and wounding Officer Tony Howard on March 22, 2011. He has argued that he was justified in the shootings because he feared for his life.

On Friday, Hood talked nearly non-stop on the stand for more than 90 minutes about his life and sharing his version of the events the night of the fatal shooting.

Hood said he shot Howard and ran down the street, where he encountered Christian.

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