WOODBINE, Ga. – Tony Green was shot multiple times in the chest and in the back, a pathologist testified Tuesday in the trial of a former Kingsland police officer charged with voluntary manslaughter and other charges.
Green was unarmed when he confronted Officer Zechariah Presley after a traffic stop on June 20, 2018. Presley claims he was defending himself when he shot and killed Green, who was unarmed at the time.
"It is my opinion that Anthony Green died of multiple gunshot wounds (and the) manner of death is homicide," said Dr. Edmund Donoghue, who performed the autopsy.
Green,33, was a passenger in the car that Presley stopped. The driver, Eric Hines, testified that Green was fearful of Presley.
Hines said that when he asked Presley what was wrong, he kept repeating, "I gotta go."
"I could tell something was wrong, so when I looked over, I see him (Presley) looking directly at him (Green)," Hines said.
The jury, made up of eight men and six women, was seated Tuesday morning from a pool that began with 74 and was whittled to 30.
The trial will resume at 9 a.m. Wednesday and the state may call more witnesses.
Last week, Superior Court Judge Stephen Scarlett denied Presley's motion asking for immunity. The ruling came two days after the defense played Presley's dashcam and body camera footage from the 2018 shooting in court.
Despite being dark outside, the video clearly showed Presley chasing Green on foot, and Presley could be heard warning Green that he was deploying a Taser.
Exactly what happened when Presley caught up to Green is unclear based on the footage, but an apparent struggle ensued. Moments later, a series of gunshots rang out.
The videos were played again in court Tuesday.
Green, who had entrance and exit wounds on both sides of his body, died of his injuries. No weapon was found on him. Officers answering Presley's calls for backup found Presley had no visible injuries.