Arthur Tesler takes stand in no-knock trial

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – Today, the Atlanta Police officer indicted on charges connected to the shooting death of a 92-year-old woman took the stand in his own defense.

Arthur Tesler faces 3 charges related to the death of Kathryn Johnston.

One of the 3 charges is violation of oath of office. The prosecution argues Tesler did so saying he knew one of his partners lied about a drug buy when asking a judge for a no-knock warrant for Johnston's home.

On the stand, Tesler told his defense attorney, William McKinney what happened after officer Jason Smith got the warrant.

MCKINNEY THEN TESLER: At any time was the search warrant handed to you? No, never. At any time did you read the search warrant? No.

By Tesler saying he never read the warrant, McKinney hopes to prove his client did not know then what Smith did thus Tesler did not violate his oath of office.

However, the prosecution honed in on another charge facing Tesler: making false statements. Tesler testified he did lie about the shooting but only because his superiors forced him to help cover up the shooting.