Pensacola, fl
A judge said a woman accused of arson in burning a fast food restaurant following the killing of Richard Brooks was given the bonds on Wednesday, but she must wear an ankle monitor and stay home.
Natalie White, 29, appeared in court on video from Fulton County Prison, where she has been held for first degree arson since she turned herself
An arrest warrant accuses her of setting fire to Wendy’s Restaurant using a torch made of lighter and type of can.
Protesters burned the restaurant on June 13, the night after the police killed Brooks, a 27-year-old black man. The video shows that Brooks was shot in the back in Wendy’s parking lot after he resisted arrest and shot a pistol while he escaped.
Before being shot, Brooks told the officers three times that he was with a friend named Natalie White that night. White’s lawyer, Drew Findling, confirmed that his client was the person Brooks spoke of but declined to comment further on their relationship, saying only that they were close.
Fulton County Magistrate Court judge Todd Ashley set the bond at $ 10,000, and said White should wear an ankle screen to ensure that she stays at home. It also prevented her from using social media.
Findling told the judge that the allegation that she had set fire to the building was a “false narration.
He said after her arrest that the video showed that the building was already burning when she was seen approaching him.
Findling requested a bond to sign, meaning White would not have to pay anything unless she missed appearing in court. He also argued that house arrest was unnecessary, saying that Al-Obeid has no criminal record and does not pose a threat to society.
Ashley said, “I can’t find the lack of convincing criminal record,” noting that White is accused of setting fire to a building with other people near and near a gas station.
One of the officers who answered complaints on June 12 of a car blocking the lane through Brooks was found sleeping inside. He then showed a video clip of Brooks police camera and officers in a calm and respectful conversation for more than 40 minutes.
But when the officers told him that he had a lot of drink to drive and tried to restrict him, Brooks resisted. He and the two white officers wrestled on the floor. Brooks grabbed one of their pistols and shot them in the direction when they escaped.
An autopsy found that he had been shot twice in the back.
Officer Garrett Rolfe, who shot Brooks, and another officer, Devin Brosnan, were expelled. The police chief resigned less than 24 hours after Brooks’ death.
Rolf, 27, now faces 11 counts, including murder, and has a hearing scheduled for next Tuesday. Brosnan, 26, is charged with aggravated assault and violating his oath.
The men’s lawyers said that their actions were justified.
