Jamie Hood calls FOX 5, admits to shooting officer - Los Angeles Local News, Weather, and Traffic

In a phone interview with FOX 5 on Monday, Jamie Hood admitting killing an Athens-Clarke County police officer and claimed his lawyers are trying to hide the truth about his murder case. The murder suspect once again claimed Athens police, prosecutors and even his own defense attorneys are corrupt.

Hood is accused of killing Athens Police Officer Buddy Christian and wounding Officer Tony Howard in March 2010. He wants the judge to remove his new attorneys in his death penalty case.

"I'm not mentally incompetent. They're trying to force me to be mentally incompetent so I can't testify and participate in my trial, so they can cover up all the lies they done told people," said Hood.

Hood has been a feisty defendant. A judge had to remove him from court in the past because of his disruptive behavior.

Hood pleaded not guilty to a 70-count indictment Friday, but spoke with FOX 5's Aungelique Proctor on Monday morning about the shooting, admitting that he pulled the trigger.

"Yes, yes I did, but I didn't do it malicely [sic]. You understand...they saying that I malicely done this. I assassinated the man, which is a lie," said Hood.

Hood went on to blame surviving Officer Tony Howard for the deadly encounter.

"Tony Howard is the one started that police shooting. He did some things he didn't have no business doing," Hood said.

Eldrin Bell, Atlanta's former police chief, said that losing an officer in the line of duty is one of the toughest parts of the job. He believes Hood has a clear purpose for all his antics.

"I think that he and many others that I've seen in the past are simply manipulating and trying to take advantage of the system and are using you in the media to get their message out," said Bell.

Hood's defense attorney tells FOX 5 that he will file paperwork to be removed from the case.