JAIL TIME FOR ‘VICTIM’ OF FABRICATED ‘KIDNAPPING’

Man’s Lie Led to Motorist’s Death, Investigation of Police Officer

Atlanta- Jesus Aranda-Galarza, the man charged with Involuntary Manslaughter in connection with the controversial death of motorist Pierre George, has been sentenced to three years behind bars. Aranda-Galarza pled guilty to the crime this afternoon in a hearing before Fulton County Superior Court Judge Wendy Shoob.

George was shot and killed following a brief chase and confrontation with Atlanta Police Officer Carlos Figueroa on December 19, 2008. Defendant Aranda-Galarza was a passenger in suspect George’s car. Shortly before the incident with police, Aranda-Galarza secretly called 9-1-1 from the back seat of the car claiming to have been kidnapped at gunpoint by Mr. George. Officer Figueroa spotted the car and attempted to pull it over. The driver refused to stop and a chase ensued. The officer was eventually able to corner the vehicle in a nearby parking lot. Pierre George then backed the car into the officer’s patrol unit and proceeded to flee from the vehicle. Fearing that George was armed and fleeing the scene of the kidnapping, Officer Figueroa shot the suspect in the chest when he refused the officer’s command to show his hands. George continued to run after being shot but was apprehended a short distance away from the shooting where he died as a result of the gunshot wound to his chest.

Jesus Aranda-Galarza eventually confessed to fabricating the kidnapping story and the contention that George was armed. After a thorough examination of the vehicle and the surrounding area, no weapon was ever found. Officer Figueroa was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing in the subsequent investigation.

Media Contact: Yvette Brown, 404-224-0560/404-392-8867, yvette.brown@fultoncountyga.gov