ATLANTA -- Dozens of people are holding a 24 hour vigil outside the Fulton County Courthouse in downtown Atlanta. The demonstration comes as a former Atlanta officer charged with murder prepares to face a grand jury as early as Wednesday.
The grand jury must determine if James Burns should be indicted for shooting and killing Caine Rogers.
"I want justice," said Melva Rogers. She holds a picture of her son, Caine, who was just 22 years old when he was shot and killed by a former Atlanta police officer.
"I will be out here for 24 hours," she said. "For my son."
PHOTOS | Caine Rogers March for Justice
PHOTOS: Caine Rogers March for Justice
The overnight rally is taking place in front of the courthouse where grand jurors will come Wednesday morning to hear the case and decide whether to indict Burns for felony murder and aggravated assault.
"We're going to have justice," she said. "I'm confident of that."
Burns is out on bond after being charged with felony murder and aggravated assault for his actions June 22 on Monroe Drive in midtown Atlanta. Burns was responding to a call about someone possibly breaking into cars at an apartment complex.
Burns initially told investigators Rogers tried to run him over with a car, but an internal affairs investigation found Rogers posed no threat to Burns, and documents from the investigation indicate Burns was outside his patrol car, took cover and shot into Rogers' car without knowing exactly who was inside. Burns was fired from the Atlanta Police Department, but his attorney says he had to make a "two-second decision" and he is innocent.
"He's not innocent. He took a life," Melva Rogers said. "To lose your child or lose your oldest son -- it's really devastating. It's something to deal with. It's hard."
At the same time, she is well aware her son's picture is just one of a number being held up at the 24-hour rally.
"While we're out here fighting that, other lives matter too," she said. "All lives matter. To see all these people come out to get justice for Caine, it's overwhelming."
