Trial Begins For Man Accused of Killing Army Sergeant

ATLANTA, GA -- The trial is underway for the man accused of gunning down a U.S. Army sergeant after he gave a homeless man a pair of shoes and cash.

The trial of Harold Dodson began Monday, April 10, the Fulton County District Attorney's Office said.

Dodson was indicted on charges of participation in street gang activity, murder, three counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Atlanta police responded to a shooting Aug. 30 and discovered Sgt. Atting Eminue dead near the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless at 477 Peachtree Street.

Eminue, who was on active duty at the time of his death, suffered two gunshot wounds to his torso and one to his left arm.

An innocent bystander suffered a gunshot wound to her leg, the district attorney's office said. The investigation into the fatal shooting revealed that Eminue was on his way to a nearby nightclub when he gave a homeless man a pair of shoes and some cash.

A man, later identified as defendant Harold Dodson, criticized the victim's "act of kindness," the DA's office added. As Eminue approached the defendant, witnesses told police Dodson shot and killed the serviceman.

Dodson was arrested Oct. 23 and booked into the Fulton County Jail. Eminue was a Nigerian immigrant and U.S. Army soldier who served three tours of duty in Afghanistan and was a father, his family told WSB-TV.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shawn Ellen LaGrua is presiding over the trial and if convicted, Dodson could receive a sentence of life plus 60 years in prison.

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