Woman Accused in Atlanta Police Officer's Death Denied Bond

ATLANTA - The 22-year-old Stone Mountain woman accused of driving drunk and killing a police officer was denied bond on Thursday.

Chasity Jones is charged in the death of veteran Atlanta police officer Gail Thomas.

A Fulton County judge denied Jones bond on the felony charge of homicide by vehicle. However, the judge did allow bond on the two misdemeanor charges she faces.

Jones appeared visibly upset and tried to hide behind her attorney during the proceedings.  Jones' mother and sister were also present during her court appearance.

Detectives say Jones' blood alcohol level was .16 -- twice the legal limit -- when she hit Senior Police Officer Gail Thomas late Tuesday night. Thomas was working an accident at the Interstate 75/85 Brookwood spilt late Tuesday night when she was hit.

Prosecutors told a judge that Jones should remain in jail because of her previous driving record of six citations in five years, including four bond forfeitures.

"I'm really concerned about her ability and her erratic inability to appear for court in the last few years," said Fulton Court Judge Jessy Lall.

Thomas' family says the entire turn of events has been hard.

"Tragic. I was notified by dispatchers. First one to be at the hospital. It's devastating," said Thomas' relative Gail Butler.

There were three other people in the car with Jones, according to police. None of them are charged. 

Jones is being held in the Fulton County Jail. Her next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 9 at Fulton County Superior Court.