Kathryn Johnston Family to Sue City, Police Chief

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – Today, exactly one year after Atlanta police shot 92-year old Kathryn Johnston during a botched drug raid, her family will file a lawsuit.

The lawsuit, to be filed this morning at the Fulton County Courthouse, names the City of Atlanta, police chief Richard Pennington, the three indicted officers, and their supervisor, as defendants. It claims wrongful death and civil rights violation.

Yesterday, standing in front of Johnston's Neal Street home, a spokesperson for Johnston's family outlined to reporters some of what the family might seek.

Reverend Markel Hutchins:

HUTCHINS: One of the things we'd love to see the city do is rename this street Kathryn Johnston Street. We'd love to see the city invest resources into this home, so that it can be transformed into a memorial. And then certainly there's a financial settlement.

Earlier yesterday, Atlanta's mayor and police chief praised changes in the police department, and specifically its narcotics unit, that were implemented following Johnston's death.

A spokesperson from Atlanta's police department would offer no comment on the intended lawsuit, other than to say it was expected.