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The trial for Ex-Kingsland police officer Zechariah Presley began on Tuesday after jury selection was finalized in the early morning hours.
The jury was seated at 9:45 a.m. after the 24 person panel was whittled down to just 14. The jury has eight men and 6six women. Only one African American is on the jury (a woman).
Opening arguments started at 10:40 a.am and the state wrapped them up at 10:48 a.m.
The defense presented at 10:49 a.m. and almost immediately Presley breaks down in tears, shudders and is consoled by one of his lawyers. Defense wraps opening statements around 11:11 a.m.
The first State witness is Lieutenant Jason Seward with the Kingsland Police Department and was among the very first on the scene.
They played dash camera video of the chase between Tony Green and Presley. The video shows Green and passenger taking off on foot and broken radio audio.
Next, Presley’s body camera video is played. Six minutes into the 12-minute video, Presley says “I thought he was going to kill me.”
The jury watched closely with no one visibly reacting to the footage.
Presley has been charged with voluntary manslaughter and violation of oath of office after the shooting death of 33-year-old Tony Green.
The families of both Green and Presley were in the courtroom on Monday.
They watched on as both the state attorneys and defense questioned the jury pool about their knowledge of this case.
The jury pool of 44 people faced several different questions about their knowledge of the case, their feelings and perception of law enforcement.
Only one person was sent home who knew of Green, but he told the judge he wasn’t close to him.
This was a shooting that shook the Kingsland community to its core.
Green was shot and killed after a traffic stop.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Green fled from Presley.
The ex-Kingsland police officer chased Green and fired multiple shots at him according to investigators. The shooting sparked rallies by those seeking justice for Green’s death.
Presley is facing charges of voluntary manslaughter and violation of oath of office.
He could face 20 years in prison if convicted.