Atlanta Police Officer Lamar Gavin's attorneys hope they can persuade a Fulton County Superior Court Judge to let him out on bond soon. They met with Judge Stephanie Manis and prosecutors Thursday morning to discuss the status of the rape case against Gavin, 26. So far, the judge has refused bond, fearing he might intimidate witnesses against him.
One of them is a woman who has gone into hiding after claiming Gavin raped her last July. Twice before she had complained to the Atlanta Police Department that Gavin refused to leave her alone. Then he supposedly broke into her apartment, set up a video camera and taped himself raping her.
But Gavin's attorneys have seen the video and claim it proves the sex was consensual.
"You don't see a sexual predator by any means," said attorney Phinia Aten. She claims her client is simply an immature rookie who's being framed.
The Atlanta Police Department tried to fire Gavin last November for unrelated off duty conduct. He's been permantly barred from three bars in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood for supposedly outrageous and intimidating behavior, including waving a pistol and claiming to be a robber.
The city's Civil Service Board overruled the firing and had Gavin suspended for 30 days instead. Friday morning his attorneys will meet with Police Chief Richard Pennington to discuss Gavin's possible suspension on the rape charge.
Gavin's rape trial is set for July.
