ATHENS, Ga. — The Athens man accused of killing one police officer and wounding another apologized to a woman he admits he carjacked that day.
Jamie Hood is accused of, and has admitted to, killing Athens Clarke County police Officer Elmer "Buddy" Christian and wounding Officer Tony Howard in March 2011. Minutes after the shooting, Hood carjacked Deborah Lumpkin a short distance away and stole her Geo Prism in an attempt to escape.
Since Hood is acting as his own attorney in this death penalty case, he gets to cross-examine witnesses including his alleged victims. Monday, he had a chance to cross-examine Lumpkin about the incident, but first, he apologized to her.
"I apologize for any heartache or pain I caused you, ma'am," Hood said. "I just wanted to let you know that before I proceed."
Lumpkin testified that Hood jumped into her car with a gun in his hand. She said he he was running from police and needed her to drive away. Seconds later, Hood changed his mind and ordered her out of the car.
Some of Hood's questioning was chilling as he talked about what could have happened but didn't.
"When I got in that car, did I hit you," Hood asked. She answered no.
"Did I put my hands on you?" he continued. Lumpkin replied no. "Did I shoot you with that gun?" Hood asked. She said no.
Hood's mother testified that she got a call from Hood while he was on the run from police and said Hood wanted to surrender four days after the shooting because he wanted to give Christian's family some closure.
WSBTV
