A Clayton County police officer facing murder charges in the 2016 death of a man who was shot nearly five dozen times has been reassigned following public outcry.
Clayton County police officer Kristopher Hutchens, 48, is still employed by the Clayton County Police Department even under a several count indictment in the killing of 26-year-old Jamarion Robinson. In a statement, the Clayton County Police Department said Hutchens was on administrative assignment to the in-service training unit but has been reassigned and moved to non-training duty, effective immediately.
“Recent concerns presented to the Clayton County Board of Commissioners about the administrative assignment of Sergeant K. Hutchens, to the in-service training unit have impacted the Board and the Clayton County Police Department,” the statement reads. “Chief Kevin Roberts has reconsidered the sergeant’s assignment, and moved him to a non-training duty, effective immediately.”
It is unclear how long Hutchens was on administrative assignment. Robinson’s mother, Monteria Robinson, held a press conference outside Clayton County Police headquarters Thursday.
“To be honest, this is an insult to all of us out here today. It’s disrespectful to me and my family and it’s literally a slap in the face,” Robinson said. “We pay these officers’ salaries, and they work for us, the people. Chief Kevin Roberts, we the people demand, Kristopher Hutchens, is terminated from the Clayton County Police Department immediately.”
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
The YouTube channel “Indisputed with Dr. Rashad Richey” first reported Hutchens was still employed by the police department and was training police officers. Robinson said she had an emotional breakdown and called her lawyer after watching the video.
“Police officers are not above the law,” she said. she said. “These officers should be in jail awaiting trial.”
Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council certification show Hutchens’ basic law enforcement certification is currently suspended, as well as his instructor certification. Police officers can’t be out on patrol in Georgia if their certifications are suspended.
According to the Georgia P.O.S.T. certification, Hutchens is still actively employed by the U.S. Marshal Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Clayton County Police Department. Hutchens has been in law enforcement since 1996, joining the Clayton County Police Department in 1996 before leaving for a couple of years in 2009 and returning in 2013. He has been a member of the task force since 2014. He is currently under investigation by Georgia P.O.S.T.
Robinson was shot and killed at his girlfriend’s East Point apartment when a fugitive task force made up of local law enforcement and federal authorities, including Hutchens, tried taking him into custody. A U.S. Marshals Service spokesman said officers were attempting to serve warrants from Atlanta police and Gwinnett County Police when the shooting occurred.
Friday will mark six years since his death.
Credit: Miguel Martinez for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Credit: Miguel Martinez for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Authorities said Robinson had a gun and refused to put it down, prompting members of the task force to open fire inside the apartment, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. A gun and multiple spent rounds “believed to be associated with Robinson” was recovered at the scene, according to the GBI that investigated the shooting.
Robinson had been shot 59 times, with 17 of those bullets exiting his body, the AJC reported.
Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office
Hutchens, along with U.S. Marshal Eric Heinze, 45, were indicted in October. They are both facing charges of felony murder, aggravated assault, burglary, making false statement and violating their oath of office. Both entered not guilty pleas in March. A trial date has been tentatively scheduled for Sept. 12.
“I’m praying that it does not get pushed back because we have been waiting quite some time. I know that the DA is ready to move forward with this case,” Robinson said. “I want justice to be served.”
Robinson said loved ones plan to honor her son with a vigil and balloon release on Friday.
“It has been six years. My family and I are looking forward to the upcoming trial. We are ready to put this behind us, that way we can move forward with our lives,” she said. “We can’t rest. We can’t sleep.”
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