A repeat felon could get life in prison without parole after he was convicted in the shooting death of the son of a former Atlanta police detective.
A Cobb County jury on Wednesday found Darius Jarrell Dunn, 25, of Mableton, guilty in the slaying of Anthony Tavarez, district attorney’s office spokeswoman Kim Isaza said.
Tavarez, the 23-year-old son of retired Atlanta police officer Detective Frank Tavarez, was shot in the back Sept. 16, 2015, during an armed robbery at the Windwood Apartments on Shenandoah Trail near Austell.
Dunn, who has previous convictions in Cherokee, Cobb and DeKalb, was one of two shooters involved in the death, the jury found.
He was convicted of malice murder, four counts of felony murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault, violating Georgia’s street gang terrorism and prevention act and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony, Isaza said.
Sentencing is set for Tuesday.
Two other people — Melvin William Evans and Joshua Raphal Gore — pleaded guilty in the case before Dunn’s trial was to begin, according to Isaza. All three defendants are associated with the Gangster Disciples.
Evans, 32, of Newton, pleaded guilty Aug. 10 to felony murder and violation of Georgia’s street gang terrorism and prevention act. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 15 years.
Gore, 32, of Austell, pleaded guilty Aug. 14 to violation of Georgia’s street gang terrorism and prevention act. He could be sentenced to five to 15 years when he’s sentenced Tuesday.
“Street gangs such as the Gangster Disciples have been perpetrating these senseless acts of violence in Georgia for years,” said Chief Assistant District Attorney Jesse Evans, lead prosecutor. “The Cobb DA’s Office is committed to combating these dangerous offenders.”
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