Murderer sentenced to 30 years; former cop allegedly helped him avoid capture

Jabri Mathis

Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office

Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office

Jabri Mathis

A man who allegedly had help from a former Atlanta police officer to escape an arrest was sentenced Monday to 30 years in prison without parole after pleading guilty to murder.

Jabri Mathis, 25, pleaded guilty to murder and aggravated assault for the shooting that killed 50-year-old Gary Mincy outside a northwest Atlanta convenience store, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.

Around 9 p.m. in April 2015, Mathis approached Mincy, who was in his car in the parking lot of Henry's Pack-a-Sack off Joseph E. Boone Boulevard, the release said. The two were allegedly discussing a potential drug deal, and the interaction was captured by the store's surveillance cameras.

Mathis eventually opened the driver’s side door and pointed a 9mm handgun at Mincy’s chest in an attempt to rob him, the release said. Mincy put his car in reverse and tried to drive away, which is when Mathis shot him in the neck and chest.

Mincy died at the scene. Mathis got into a Ford Fusion with an unknown driver, and they drove away, the release said.

An Atlanta police officer resigned and was arrested after allegedly helping Mathis escape fugitive units during an attempted arrest the next month, AJC.com previously reported.

MORE: Ex-Atlanta cop indicted, accused of helping murder suspect escape

Tommy Williams was charged with violation of oath of public office, obstruction of an officer and hindering apprehension of a criminal. He was accused of allowing Mathis to escape out a window of a house on James. P. Brawley Drive. His case is still pending, according to Fulton County court records.

Fromer Atlanta police Officer Tommy Williams 

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Mathis was arrested that day after a brief chase.

Following his 30 years in prison, Mathis was sentenced to life on probation, the release said.

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