Jurors will decide Tuesday if Charmon Sinkfield will get the death penalty in the murder of boxing great Vernon Forrest.
Sinkfield was convicted of murder Monday in a July 2009 armed robbery that left the former four-time world champion dead outside a gas station along Whitehall Street seven years ago, Channel 2 Action News reported.
The conviction follows the earlier sentencing of accomplices Demario Crews and Jquante Ware.
Ware, the armed robber and Crews, the getaway driver, were convicted of their crimes in 2011 and 2012 respectively. They are serving life sentences.
The three men robbed Forrest while he was pumping air into his tires at a gas station about 11 p.m. July 25, 2009, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution initially reported.
Forrest’s then 11-year-old godson had just gone inside the store to buy some snacks and use the bathroom.
Credit: Gardner, Lisa (CMG-Atlanta)
Credit: Gardner, Lisa (CMG-Atlanta)
The men stole a “4X World Champion” ring and a gold Rolex watch from Forrest, who ran after them and exchanged gun fire before he turned his back.
That's when Sinkfield fired seven to eight shots in Forrest's back.
Surveillance footage and witness accounts eventually led police to the three men.
Forrest's mother wiped away tears in court as the guilty verdict was read Monday, Channel 2 reported.
His family didn't speak to the news station as they left the courtroom.
The verdict proved emotional for one of Sinkfield's relatives who had to be led out of the courtroom, Channel 2 reported.
Witnesses are expected to testify on Sinkfield's behalf with the hopes of swaying jurors against a stricter sentencing, Channel 2 reported.
