A high school football standout and his cousin were the latest young adults to be arrested in connection with a seven-month murder and robbery investigation in Douglas County, authorities said.
Jalen Malik Morgan, 17, a wide receiver at Alexander High School in Douglasville, and his cousin Leandrea Latroy Morgan, 19, were arrested Jan. 8 and are accused of participating in a plot as lookouts that led to the shooting death of Lalan Baylor, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Five others were arrested earlier during the homicide investigation, which began after Baylor’s death in May 2018. The others arrested include:
• Rodney Bernard Berry, 21;
• Barry D. McClain, 22;
• Erica Tereice Curry, 19;
• Kenneth Drake, 18;
• Kenneth Torrance McClary Jr., 20.
Credit: Douglas County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Douglas County Sheriff's Office
Baylor wasn’t the intended target, according to Douglas County Sheriff’s Office indictments, which were obtained by Channel 2. He was allegedly part of the conspiracy to commit an armed robbery against McClary.
The documents allege that the suspects were attempting to rob McClary in the Anneewakee Falls subdivision on May 30, 2018.
Curry is accused of luring McClary to the location in a car driven by Drake. Berry, McClain and Baylor were allegedly waiting to rob McClary at gunpoint. Law enforcement called it a “robbery gone wrong.”
When McClary arrived, one of the suspects allegedly shot at him, and McClary shot back, killing Baylor, the indictments said. Baylor was shot once and died at WellStar Douglas Hospital.
McClary was arrested in July, and Curry, Berry, Drake and McClain were arrested in August.
The Morgans are accused of being lookouts and driving around the neighborhood while the shooting took place.
Police Sgt. Jesse Hambrick told Channel 2 these are the last arrests they anticipate making in this investigation.
“These last two were the last two that (police) expect, and they’re ready to move forward from there,” Hambrick said.
Jalen and Leandrea Morgan both face charges of felony murder, aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit an armed robbery, according to Douglas County Jail records.
Jalen Morgan had 45 receptions, more than 500 yards receiving and six touchdowns last season.
Berry, McClain, Curry, Drake and McClary face charges of felony murder and aggravated assault, jail records show. McClary faces additional charges of parole violation and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
All seven have been denied bond, Channel 2 reported.
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