The GBI says 33-year-old Jamie Hood was using cocaine and watching TV during the hostage standoff
ATHENS, GA (AP) -- The head of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation says the man charged with killing a police officer and then taking people hostage found the victims when a 13-year-old girl came out to start her family's car.
Vernon Keenan says 33-year-old Jamie Hood was hiding in the woods Friday when he surprised the girl and took her and nine other people hostage. He said one of the hostages escaped after seeing how erratically Hood was behaving. Keenan said Hood was using cocaine and watching TV during the hostage standoff.
Hood is charged with killing Athens-Clarke County Senior Office Elmer "Buddy" Christian and wounding Officer Tony Howard. He surrendered to authorities Friday night on live TV. Hood has waived an initial court appearance. His attorney has not returned several phone calls.
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