WOODBINE, Ga. – After weeks being held without bond, a Camden County judge has ruled that a former Kingsland police officer who shot and killed a 33-year-old father ran from a traffic stop could be released if he posts $100,000 bond and comply with other terms.
Zechariah Presley is charged with manslaughter in the June 20 shooting death of Tony Green. He has been in jail since surrendering to authorities later that week.
Presley's attorney, Pat O'Connor, argued at a pretrial hearing last week that Presley should be granted a reasonable bond, but Green's family is adamantly opposed to Presley getting out of jail pending his trial.
Presley's pastor testified that Presley is not a flight risk and poses no threat to the community.
"We trust him to act in a proper manner and make the right decision," O'Connor said after the hearing.
Judge J. Alexander Atwood ordered Monday that Presley could be released on bond. Atwood set several special conditions on Presley's release requested by Green's attorneys, including that Presley have no contact with Green's family, he surrender his passport, he cannot have a firearm or ammunition, cannot consumer alcohol or illegal drugs and be under curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
DOCUMENT: State of Georgia vs. Zechariah Presley
Presley, who was fired by the Kingsland Police Department, is charged with voluntary manslaughter and violating his oath of office. Why Presley pulled Green over and other details have not been released.
The family believes the facts laid out in last week's hearing show that Presley actually is a danger to the community. Green's loved ones have held regular protests outside the Camden County Courthouse. They were planning to attend Monday night's meeting of the Kingsland City Council and ask why Presley was ever hired and to consider a citizens' committee to increase police accountability in the city.
Green's pastor, Mack Knight, said the family is angry and upset, and that frustration is spilling out into the community.
"There has always been a racial tension, but ... I believe it is at an all-time high. I believe everybody is sensitive and emotional," Knight said.
More than a thousand people have signed a petition for Presley's manslaughter charge to be upgraded to murder. Late last week, the Camden County District Attorney's Office said it will present evidence in the case to the grand jury to determine if additional charges are warranted.
Presley was released after posting bond on Monday afternoon, said Captain Bruce with the Camden County Sheriff's Office.