The man who police say killed a prominent cancer researcher in her Midtown condominium last year pleaded guilty to murder on Thursday.
Shamal Thompson, 24, was immediately sentenced by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Henry Newkirk to life in prison for the Feb. 18, 2009, death of Dr. Eugenia "Jeanne" Calle.
A noted epidemiologist, Calle, 57, had retired two weeks earlier from her post as vice president of the epidemiology department at the Atlanta-based American Cancer Society.
Police say Thompson gained entry to Calle's unit at the luxury Aqua Condominiums on 10th Street by pretending to be a potential buyer.
Calle offered to allow Thompson to view her home, which she was placing on the market, and while she was showing him around the condo, Thompson attempted to rob her, according to Yvette Brown, a spokeswoman for the Fulton County district attorney's office.
The two struggled, and Thompson "slammed Dr. Calle's head onto a granite countertop, fracturing her skull and killing her," Brown said. "He then hid her body in the kitchen pantry and proceeded to steal her money, credit cards and jewelry."
Among the items stolen were a diamond ring taken from the victim's finger, her condo electronic swipe card and $68 in cash.
After leaving the building, Thompson went on an "elaborate spending spree for clothes," Brown said. "He was seen later that night drinking and dancing at a bar and using the victim's credit cards."
Calle's body was discovered by her fiance about nine hours after her death.
The following day, Thompson returned to Calle's building "in an attempt to steal larger items that he was unable to carry out the first time," according to Brown. "He fled the scene when questioned by security." Thompson was arrested that night after police tracked his vehicle.
"He was extremely brazen," Atlanta police homicide Maj. Keith Meadows told the AJC after Thompson's arrest. "It's a little unsettling when people are that bold. I can't even put it into words."
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