Judge sentenced Tesler to 5 years

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – Today, former Atlanta narcotics officer Arthur Tesler learned his punishment for helping to cover up the death of 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston.

The death's widespread impact was felt throughout the courtroom before the judge gave the sentence.

Before Judge Michael Johnson handed down his decision, he heard how the elderly woman's death affected a lot of people including Atlanta Police chief Richard Pennington. On behalf of the prosecution, Pennington told the judge the actions of Tesler and his partners cramped drug enforcement.

PENNINGTON: Our narcotics unit was disbanded for about 7 to 8 months and we weren't doing any aggressive high level narcotic enforcement in the city of Atlanta.

It will also affect Tesler's ability to be a husband a father. On behalf of Tesler, Richard Rainey pleaded for his close friend to only get probation.

RAINEY: Your honor, I promised this man that I would look after his family. His wife and kids mean as much to me as my own and I would love and be happy to do so. I just don't want to have to.

Neither does Tesler's wife of almost 14 years, Kelli. Fighting back tears, she said Arthur Bruce Tesler is a hard working family man with 4 children and a strong commitment to police work.

KELLI TESLER: Your honor, I implore you to be lenient on my best friend. I ask you to judge Bruce Tesler. The man I know and love. The man everyone here knows and loves.

And then Tesler spoke for himself. He began by apologizing to Johnston's family.

ARTHUR TESLER: I've never really had an opportunity to say it in public and I'm pleased to have the opportunity today to say that I am terribly sorry for that tragic, tragic death.

Then, Tesler proposed a sentence of community service speaking to kids and law enforcement.

ARTHUR TESLER: I want to be a part of something good to come from this tragic incident. I want to be able to teach others from the mistakes that were made. The mistakes that I made.

Finally, Judge Michael Johnson said he took everything into consideration.

JOHNSON: Based on everything that I've heard the sentence of the court will be 5 years to serve 4 years and 6 months in prison.

The other 6 months Tesler will spend on probation doing community service.