Suspected triggerman in boxer's killing arrested

By MARCUS K. GARNER and MIKE MORRIS

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The suspected trigger man in the death of boxer Vernon Forrest was ordered held without bail Thursday.

Fulton County Magistrate Judge James Altman ordered Charmon Sinkfield, 30, held until a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. Aug. 19 in Fulton Superior Court.

Altman listed the charges against Sinkfield as murder, felony murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Sinkfield remained silent during the hearing, holding his head in his hands and rubbing his eyes. Altman said an attorney would be appointed for Sinkfield if he did not have one.

Sinkfield was arrested by U.S. marshals on Wednesday night, Atlanta police spokesman Officer Eric Schwartz said. He is the third man to be charged in connection with Forrest’s slaying.

An arrest warrant had previously been issued after tips from witnesses and video surveillance led police to Sinkfield. Marshals staked out a home in southwest Atlanta, and they followed a black sedan from Nathan Street to I-20 around 9 p.m., according to Marshal James Ergas.

Twelve unmarked cars trailed the sedan for about 10 minutes Wednesday evening before forcing the vehicle to stop.

Sinkfield, who was in the backseat, was one of three people in the sedan. At one point, he attempted to disguise himself with a wig, Ergas said.

Sinkfield was taken into custody on I-20 near Hamilton E. Holmes Drive.

Sinkfield is the final of three suspects whom investigators were seeking in the shooting of the Atlanta boxer. Jquante Crews, 25, and Damario Ware, 20, face murder, weapons, assault and robbery charges.

Staff writer Alexis Stevens contributed to this report.