DEKALB COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Jurors have reached a verdict for the man who claims he shot and killed two DeKalb County police officers in self-defense.
Friday afternoon, the jury found William Woodard guilty on all eight counts, including two counts each of malice murder, felony murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Woodard admitted he killed DeKalb County police officers Ricky Bryant and Eric Barker on Jan. 16, 2008, at the Glenwood Gardens Apartments. But he claimed he did so because one officer was beating him and the other fired shots at him.
"This is a person who is laying on the ground, who panicked," defense attorney Bill Morrison told jurors. "He thinks he's going to be killed. He thinks he might draw his last breath."
Woodard's defense team said the officers were acting like "bullies with badges," using excessive force on Woodard for no reason.
"The badge does not give you the right to break the law while you are trying to enforce the law," defense attorney Dwight Thomas said.
DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James told jurors that the evidence shows otherwise.
"You've got to ask yourself the tough question. Do you believe him? Does it make sense?" James asked.
James said Woodard, a three-time convicted felon, is the one who fired the first shots because he didn't want to go back to jail.
A sentencing date for Woodard has not yet been set.
Check back with www.CBSAtlanta.com for updates.
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