Grand Jury Testimony in the Eddie Lee Callahan Carver Homes Police Shooting (10/12/87)
NOV. 20, 1987
Police officer Michael Long was acquitted Thursday of involuntary...
ATLANTA -- Police officer Michael Long was acquitted Thursday of involuntary manslaughter of Eddie Lee Callahan, a black car theft suspect who was shot five times in the back in a struggle with Long and his partner.
Some spectators applauded as the verdict was announced and after brief disturbance, deputies removed at least one person from the crowded court.
Long, who is white and claimed he shot Callahan during a struggle for control of a gun, leaped for joy and and hugged his lawyer.
'I still feel bad about the shooting itself,' Long said. 'When someone's life is taken, you never ever forget about it when you're the one involved. I still feel grief for the man and for his family, but at this time, I'm glad it's over with.'
A Fulton County Superior Court jury deliberated about six hours before acquitting Long, who was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the Sept. 10 death of Callahan, who was shot five times in the back at the Carver Homes housing project.
Long claimed he shot Callahan during a struggle for control of a gun between the victim and Long's partner, officer Ridley Watson.
Long told the jury Wednesday he fired two shots into Callahan after Watson lost control of his gun during a struggle. He fired more shots into Callahan 'until he no longer had control of the gun,' Long testified.
Under intense cross-examination, Long denied he overreacted in shooting Callahan.
On Wednesday, Gracie Mae Gavins Isom, Callahan's mother, filed a wrongful death suit against the city of Atlanta, Long and Watson. The suit alleges Callahan's shooting was the result of the city's 'complete failure to adequately train its police officers in proper police procedures.'
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