
From: http://www.cbsatlanta.com/news/20859785/detail.html
JONESBORO, Ga. -- The mother of a Fayetteville man accused of causing a crash that killed two innocent women apologized Friday for her son’s actions. But she also blamed police, saying if they hadn’t chased her son, those women might still be alive.
Kathryn Snowden collapsed outside the Clayton County Courthouse after seeing her son, Christian Harris, face a judge on a long list of charges. Police said Harris led them on a chase that ended when the stolen truck he was driving slammed head-on into a car, killing Zannie Hatcher, 74, and her daughter, Bonnie Vicks, 57.
"He's only 24,†Snowden said. “His name is Christian. I named him that when I was 17 years old." She said, “I don't know what to say, but I'm sorry. I'm so sorry that this had to happen."
But Snowden said her son is not the only one to blame. "They didn't have to have the police to keep chasing him, because look what happened now. Two innocent people coming from church is gone,†she said.
Harris’s girlfriend said at the scene Wednesday night, Harris was most concerned about their two-week old son. Valarie Pettigrew told CBS Atlanta News, “He hollered out, 'I love you, and I love Merrick. Where's Merrick, which is our son's name.'"
She said he's sorry for what he did.
Harris's mother was not allowed to speak to her son in court Friday, but she said if she could talk to him, she would say, "Get on your knees. No man down here can judge us. Only the father that sits on the right hand side of the throne can judge us all."
A Clayton County police panel is looking into whether officers followed the proper police procedures during the chase.
Kathryn Snowden collapsed outside the Clayton County Courthouse after seeing her son, Christian Harris, face a judge on a long list of charges. Police said Harris led them on a chase that ended when the stolen truck he was driving slammed head-on into a car, killing Zannie Hatcher, 74, and her daughter, Bonnie Vicks, 57.
"He's only 24,†Snowden said. “His name is Christian. I named him that when I was 17 years old." She said, “I don't know what to say, but I'm sorry. I'm so sorry that this had to happen."
But Snowden said her son is not the only one to blame. "They didn't have to have the police to keep chasing him, because look what happened now. Two innocent people coming from church is gone,†she said.
Harris’s girlfriend said at the scene Wednesday night, Harris was most concerned about their two-week old son. Valarie Pettigrew told CBS Atlanta News, “He hollered out, 'I love you, and I love Merrick. Where's Merrick, which is our son's name.'"
She said he's sorry for what he did.
Harris's mother was not allowed to speak to her son in court Friday, but she said if she could talk to him, she would say, "Get on your knees. No man down here can judge us. Only the father that sits on the right hand side of the throne can judge us all."
A Clayton County police panel is looking into whether officers followed the proper police procedures during the chase.
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