Judge sparks courtroom confusion with mistaken guilty verdict

LocalPolitics
19 Aug 2025 • 3:14 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • An Atlanta judge mistakenly announced a guilty verdict for Alton Oliver, who was on trial for the 2022 fatal shooting of a Fulton County deputy.
  • The courtroom in Georgia erupted in confusion on Friday after Judge Henry Newkirk's initial announcement.
  • Realising his error, the judge quickly corrected himself, re-reading the statement to acquit Oliver of all charges.
  • Judge Newkirk apologised for what he termed a 'mispronunciation' of the verdict.
  • Watch the video in full above.

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