FORMER APD OFFICER NOW CONVICTED FELON RECEIVES JAILTIME IN BOTCHED POLICE RAID

“MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS IN THE KATHRYN JOHNSTON MURDER CASE YIELDS 4 YEARS AND SIX MONTHS IN PRISON FOR TESLER”

Former Atlanta Police Office Arthur Bruce Tesler was sentenced today to 4 years and six months in prison after being convicted earlier in the week on one count of making false statements during the investigation of the botched police raid on November 21, 2006 that left 92 year old Kathryn Johnston dead.

Prior to sentencing, Tesler, his attorney and various members of his family addressed the court. Each requested that the judge consider probation for the defendant instead of jail time.

Prosecutors called Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington who spoke about the negative impact that the defendant’s actions have had on him, the department and the community. Prosecutor Kellie Hill requested that the judge impose the maximum sentence of five years in prison for the convicted felon because “he only told the truth when he was cornered”. Announcing the sentence to a packed courtroom, Judge Johnson sentenced Tesler to 4 years and six months to serve followed by four months of probation.

Judge Michael Johnson presided over the case. It was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Kellie Hill, Peter Odom and Linda Dunikoski. Lead Detective on the case was Det. P. Guerrucci of the Atlanta Police Department. The case was investigated by Tracy Brumfield and Cameron Crandall of the Fulton County District Attorney’s Investigations Unit.

Media Contact: Shelia Edwards, 404-730-4867/404-392-8867, shelia.edwards@fultoncountyga.gov