A Roswell couple killed in Alabama this week were both retired lawyers who were remembered for successful careers and deep connections to metro Atlanta.
Michael McKenzie, 72, and Darla McKenzie, 68, were killed in a double shooting near Gadsden on Tuesday, according to the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office. The couple were visiting their daughter and son-in-law, 38-year-old Christopher Scott Johnson, who was arrested on a capital murder charge within hours of the shooting, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported.
Darla McKenzie was a former partner at well-known Atlanta law firm Morris, Manning and Martin, LLP. She began with the firm in 1981 after graduating from Emory University and worked in its real estate practice her entire career, according to the firm’s website.
Credit: Morris, Manning and Martin
Credit: Morris, Manning and Martin
Mike McKenzie was an insurance lawyer with international firm Cozen O’Connor until his retirement in 2015, firm partner and spokeswoman Alycen Moss confirmed. He attended Georgia Tech as an undergrad and played football for the Yellow Jackets from 1970-1974.
“Those of us who knew him and worked with him are mourning this tragedy,“ Moss told the AJC. ”Mike was an exceptional litigator, compassionate lawyer, incomparable mentor, extraordinary partner and friend to many of us. In addition to his subrogation practice, Mike was dedicated to giving back to the community through his pro bono work with the Innocence Project.”
McKenzie played defensive back at Georgia Tech alongside Georgia sports legend Randy Rhino, a three-time All American.
Rhino told the AJC he had not kept in close touch with McKenzie since their playing days, but remembered helping him learn to play in Tech’s secondary.
“It’s just so tragic,” Rhino said of McKenzie’s death.
Officials in Alabama have not released further information about the circumstances around the deadly shooting.
— Staff writer Ken Sugiura contributed to this article.
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