Trial begins for 3 men in death of Atlanta councilwoman’s nephew

The trial for the suspects in the shooting death of 18-year-old Darius Bottoms has begun, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.

Bottoms was the nephew of Atlanta City Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms. He died when he was ambushed in June 2014 as he drove his car on Legacy Drive in southwest Atlanta. Several shots were fired and a bullet struck Bottoms' head. A passenger escaped injury.

The investigation revealed the victim was mistaken as a rival gang member, according to a press release.

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Rashad Barber, 18, Ryan Bowdery, 23, and David Dajunta Wallace, 22, were indicted on charges including murder, aggravated assault and participation in criminal street gang activity.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter is presiding over the trial, which continues Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.

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Detective David Quinn speaks about the June 13 shooting of Darius Bottoms at a press conference Wednesday. Bottoms’ grandmother, Lenora Flanagan, spoke at the press conference as well.

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