A man charged with a New Year’s Day murder contends “any actions he took were in self-defense,” his lawyer told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday.

Quindarius Keshun Morton of Dacula is charged with felony murder and aggravated assault in the killing of Reginald Bien-Aime in Buford during what authorities call a drug deal gone bad.

“The alleged victim in the case at least began pulling out his weapon and said, ‘Don’t (expletive) move’ to the occupants in the car,” Elizabeth Leanne Chancey said. “He was actually the initial aggressor and that comes from the detective. I’m hoping that will help resolve a lot of the issues.”

Morton, who has a history of assault in Gwinnett, was in the backseat of the car when the shooting took place and he contends he did not know his friends were about to engage in a drug deal, Chancey said.

The detective outlined the case at Morton’s preliminary hearing Friday after which the magistrate sent the case to Superior Court. Morton, also known as “Q,” remained in jail, where he has been since he turned himself in on Jan. 3.

About the Author

Featured

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Credit: AP