'NO-KNOCK' VICTIM'S FAMILY SEEKS DEAL

The spokesman for the family of a 92-year-old woman gunned down by a
rogue Atlanta police drug squad two years ago put pressure Friday on
city officials to settle their lawsuit against the city.

"This family does not need to go through a long and bitter [court]
process,," the Rev. Markel Hutchins said outside the northwest
Atlanta home of Kathryn Johnston, pushing for a quick settlement.

The Johnston shooting and the subsequent revelations stunned many
Atlantans. On Nov. 21, 2006, police used a "no-knock" warrant to gain
entry into Johnston's home. Johnston, apparently surprised by the
intruders, fired a gun at the officers. The officers shot her twice
in the chest.

An investigation ensued, and officers admitted they cut corners,
faked search warrants, planted drugs and raided homes because of
pressure from supervisors to make arrests.

Three officers pleaded guilty to violating Johnston's civil rights
and are awaiting sentencing. Police Chief Richard Pennington
disbanded the department's narcotics unit and filled it last year
with a new batch of officers. The Atlanta City Council created a
civilian review board to investigate alleged police misconduct.

Johnston's family filed a lawsuit against the city last November.
Hutchins said the city has not negotiated in good faith with Johnston
family representatives. He delivered a letter Friday afternoon to the
mayor and city council offices outlining his concerns.

City Attorney Beth Chandler said settlement discussions will occur
"at an appropriate point during the litigation process."

Hutchins did not say how much money the family wants from the city,
but he referred to a case several years ago of the Atlanta-Fulton
Public Library System, which was ordered to pay $18 million to white
defendants in a reverse-discrimination lawsuit.

"The circumstances in that case were a lot less egregious than what
happened to [Johnston]," Hutchins said.

Hutchins said the city must do right by Johnston, although Atlanta is
facing a projected budget shortfall of at least $50 million.

"We understand that the city is in a difficult place, but there's a
debt that's owed to the family of Kathryn Johnston and that debt must
be paid," he said.

Hutchins said the family also wants a formal apology and the city's
help in creating a memorial honoring Johnston.