Bartender's accused killer ordered to name accomplices

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A suspected 30 Deep gang member charged with killing a Grant Park bartender must name his accomplices, a judge ordered Wednesday.

Jonathan Redding, 17, is charged with shooting and killing John Henderson during a robbery at the Standard Food & Spirits on Jan. 7. Prosecutors say he is one of several teenagers involved, but he is the only one in jail.

Redding has remained quiet since his April arrest and refused to name the other teens, Fulton County assistant district attorney Gabriel Banks said.

On Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Kimberly Esmond Adams ordered Redding to testify before a grand jury about what happened and who else was involved.

In exchange for his testimony, the judge granted the teenager immunity, which would prohibit prosecutors from using any of his testimony against him.

"I believe there is a compelling interest because three or four are at large," the judge said.

Henderson's parents said they won't feel at ease until all of the suspects are captured.

“We’re glad they pushed him to go to the grand jury,” mother Carole Henderson said from her Baltimore home. “We certainly would like to get the rest of these guys off the streets.”

The judge asked Redding Wednesday morning if he understood and reminded him he will be under oath during his testimony.

"The court’s expectation is that you will testify truthfully, which is what the law requires," she told him.

However, prosecutors say there is not much more they can do to force the teen to talk, since he is already in jail and facing multiple life sentences.

Prosecutors said they also fear that there could be retaliation against Redding in jail.

"Any time someone provides information about other gang members, there is a safety aspect," Banks said.

A spokeswoman for the Fulton County Sheriff's Office said Redding has limited access to other inmates for security reasons.

On Wednesday, about 20 of Henderson's friends and neighbors filled the courtroom to encourage the judge to order Redding to talk.

“We want justice for John,” said Marsha Bennett, a friend of Henderson. “The best way to do that is to bring all these people in.”

About 10 members of the South Atlantans for Neighborhood Development group said they attended the hearing because they are concerned about the other suspected 30 Deep members still on the street.

"The longer it takes for them to be apprehended, the more likely there's a chance it could happen again," said Steve Norman, the group's president.

Redding's attorney, Elizabeth Markowitz, objected to the forced testimony, saying her client has pleaded not guilty and opted not to talk to police.

"I do think this is a fishing expedition by the state to get a defendant to confess to something he has not participated in," she told the judge.

The judge will decide Wednesday afternoon if Redding's attorney can attend the grand jury interview.

Redding is charged with 24 counts, including murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery and participation in criminal street gang activity.

Prosecutors say Redding and several teens robbed an employee outside of the Standard on Dec. 21. During that robbery, Redding fired one shot, but no one was injured, Banks said.

According to prosecutors, Redding and his friends returned to the Standard on Jan. 7. They broke into the Memorial Drive bar and held 27-year-old Henderson and another employee, Ashley Elder, at gunpoint. They robbed the two and fired several shots, striking Henderson in the leg and the head, Banks said.

On Jan. 9, Redding and his friends forced their way into a home in southwest Atlanta and got into a gun battle with the homeowner, prosecutors said. Redding, who was shot in the shoulder, left his gun at the house, prosecutors said. Redding's blood was on the gun, they said.

Detectives linked Redding to the three crimes through ballistics and DNA tests.

Redding is scheduled to return to court Jan. 27. His parents said they hope to attend that hearing.