ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The trial of a man accused of killing a Fulton County deputy in 2022 is underway.

Alton Oliver is charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony after 24-year-old Deputy James Thomas was found shot to death in a crashed car near Bolton Road.

Police believe that Thomas, who was off-duty at the time, was pursuing Oliver, and an argument between the two escalated into gunfire. Investigators said they did not believe the two knew each other.

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office said Thomas was on duty the night before the shooting, but they did not know anything about his actions between the time he got off work and the time he was shot.

Oliver’s defense attorney claims he was acting in self-defense

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