Judge begins 3 days of hearings in Athens police officer death

ATHENS - A judge is expected to start three days of court hearings to consider nearly 80 motions filed by lawyers for a man accused of gunning down an Athens-Clarke police officer.

The court matters include requests for defendant Jamie Hood to transfer to another jail, visit crime scenes and ban police officers from wearing their uniforms during his trial.

Hood has been held in the Barrow County Jail. He recently complained that his jail cell has made him sick.

Hood is charged with murder in the shooting of Senior Police Officer Elmer "Buddy" Christian on March 22 and with attempting to kill Senior Police Officer Tony Howard.

District Attorney Ken Mauldin has filed notice to seek the death penalty if Hood is convicted.