ATHENS, Ga. – Jamie Hood appears to be becoming increasingly upset as he continues to mount his defense in this death penalty trial.
Hood has admitted to shooting and killing Athens Clarke County Police Officer Elmer "Buddy" Christian and wounding Officer Tony Howard on March 22, 2011.
On Thursday, Hood called his brother, Matthew Hood, to the stand. Matthew Hood recalled the events the night of the shooting. He said he was driving an SUV and ordered to stop by Howard.
At the time, officers were searching for Jamie Hood, who was suspected in a carjacking and kidnapping.
"So I stopped. My brother Jamie exited the car," Matthew Hood said. "I don't know, I guess a few seconds later. I heard some gunshots. Immediately I got on the ground thinking, they done shot my brother because they killed one of my brothers. I'm like, dang, dang, they shot my brother. I'm getting on the ground to let them know I ain't got no gun. So, I'm just laying on the ground thinking, man, 'They gonna come shoot me next.'"
Matthew Hood also has a lengthy criminal past. He is serving his own 10-year sentence for armed robbery. While they are brothers, Jamie Hood was often combative with Matthew on the stand.
Hood continued that pattern with his next witnesses and even the judge and the district attorney Ken Mauldin.
"Why don't y'all go ahead and send me to jail," Jamie Hood said at one point. "You're taking my case straight from me."
After the judge told him to ask another question, Hood said, "I want to state for the record you being biased and prejudice in favor of this prosecutor and you helping in covering up the truth. For the record."
Hood is expected to wrap up his defense soon -- perhaps as early as Friday. That could mean that Hood himself will take the stand.
PHOTOS | Jamie Hood
