A Fulton County jury has convicted a drug dealer and pimp in connection with thedeath of a man from which he demanded money he claimed he was owed for drugs and prostitutes.
Remond Sinkfield, 34, was convicted on Friday on charges of felony murder, aggravated assault with intent to rob, theft by taking (motor vehicle) and giving false information, Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard Jr. announced Tuesday. He was sentenced to life plus 11 years in prison by Fulton County Superior Court Judge T. Jackson Bedford.
The charges against Sinkfield were in connection to the January 2012 death of 54-year-old Levi Atkinson, who had sustained injuries in an attempt to escape the man. Atkinson told authorities that Sinkfield came to his home to demand money he claimed he was owed. Under coercion, Atkinson drove him to various locations in an attempt to get the money.
Atkinson said that as he attempted to turn into a parking lot in search of a safe public location, Sinkfield suddenly grabbed the steering wheel. Atkinson then jumped from the moving car. The impact led to a broken hip and arm, and several vertebrae fractures.
Atkinson died four days later from a blood clot that developed due to the bone fractures. Sinkfield, initially arrested for aggravated assault following the incident, was later charged with murder.
Howard said Sinkfield’s crimes underscore a larger issue plaguing the Fulton Industrial Boulevard corridor. Next month, his office and its criminal justice partners are scheduled to open the county’s first Community Court on Fulton Industrial Boulevard, which will focus on reducing quality of life crimes like drugs and prostitution along the business strip.
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