A McDonough man was convicted in the 2018 murder of a 49-year-old found stabbed more than three dozen times in his DeKalb County apartment.
Authorities said Jared Kelvin Smith, 21, killed Ronald Roach just over a year ago before stealing his car and driving it around for weeks.
RELATED: DeKalb teen stabbed man more than 30 times, killing him, cops say
Police said the murder was robbery-motivated after a friend discovered Roach’s body inside his apartment on Flat Shoals Road. He had been stabbed 38 times in his chest, neck and back. Investigators also determined Roach was beaten after finding blunt-force injuries to his head, the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release announcing Smith’s conviction.
DeKalb police said Smith and two others — Riki Albury and Kessiah Rowe — targeted Roach after a previous gathering at his home. The suspects later returned and demanded money when an argument ensued, according to police. Roach was then chased into his bedroom, where he was stabbed and beaten.
MORE: 2 young people accused in death of DeKalb man stabbed 33 times
Credit: DeKalb County Sheriff's Office
Credit: DeKalb County Sheriff's Office
The attackers stole the man’s cellphone, wallet and keys before leaving the scene in Roach’s car, which Smith drove for weeks, prosecutors said.
After their arrests, all three defendants blamed the attack on each other, authorities said.
Smith was convicted of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and theft by taking. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 4, the DA’s office said.
Trial dates for Albury and Rowe have not been set.
In other news:
About the Author
