Colors can be vibrant, bold and beautiful, among other things.

But in the case of Warren Roseberry, they're what led to his murder in May 2015 when he was trying to shield his cousin from an attack involving a non-gang member wearing a group's colors.

Jurors convicted Morio Clifton, 29, and Christopher Woody, 26, in the beating and murder Tuesday, more than two years after the 25-year-old died in his mother's living room, Fulton County District Attorney spokesman Dontaye Carter said.

Atlanta police were initially called to the scene about a “fight in progress,” Carter said. They found eight shell casings at the apartment complex in the 300 block of West Lake Avenue.

As the investigation unfolded, detectives discovered Clifton’s and Woody’s gang had issues with someone inside the apartment wearing their gang’s colors when they weren’t a member. Authorities did not say what gang the duo belonged to.

The men then assaulted the victim and Roseberry’s cousin, Carter said. When Roseberry went to stop the attack, Clifton and Woody began punching him. Carter said the amateur boxer was able to fight off the gang members, but they pulled out pistols and began shooting.

Roseberry took his last breath in front of his mom, Carter said. He was in town from South Carolina to visit.

Clifton and Woody will be sentenced at a later date.

In other news:

Widower, 94, Digs Pool For Neighborhood Kids

About the Author

Keep Reading

An incident involving two drivers turned violent Monday evening when a man was shot in the back and killed, Atlanta police said.

Credit: Henri Hollis

Featured

Since 2023, customers of Georgia Power, which operates Plant Vogtle, have experienced six PSC-approved rate hikes. Polls open Tuesday for primary elections to select candidates for Georgia’s powerful utility regulatory board. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com