Afraid of going back to prison for violating parole, Tony Mitchell strangled his roommate, stole his car and drove to Florida, authorities said.
On Thursday, a Fulton County judge and jury made sure he wouldn’t have to worry about parole violations ever again.
Mitchell, 50, was found guilty of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and theft by taking. The conviction comes nearly four years after he strangled and beat to death one of three fellow parolees he lived with in a Dill Avenue duplex.
Following the jury’s decision, Senior Fulton County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Manis sentenced Mitchell to life in prison — without parole.
According to information released by the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, 48-year-old Randy Lewis’ body was discovered by his other roommates some four days after Mitchell strangled and beat him.
“Though curious about his whereabouts,” a news release said, “the victim’s roommates did not become suspicious until they noticed a foul odor coming from his room and called police. When interviewed, Mitchell’s roommates told police they saw him loading a bag into the victim’s car and then drive away. He never returned.”
Mitchell, a four-time convicted felon on parole for robbery, was caught shoplifting in Florida 10 days after Lewis’ body was discovered. He reportedly admitted to stealing Lewis’ car and said he wanted to skip town because he was afraid of going back to prison for violating parole.
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