BREAKING: First Guilty Plea Comes In Vernon Forrest Death

((HT: WSB-TV Atlanta))

After three days of deliberating, the jury in the Vernon Forrest murder case convicted Demario Ware on one count of felony murder and one count of armed robbery. He was found not guilty on four counts -- malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and using a firearm during a felony. Forrest was killed in July of 2009.

He had stopped at a local gas station because he was concerned that one of the tires on his car might have been going flat and his godson needed to use the bathroom.

The defense and prosecution agreed that Ware committed an armed robbery during the series of altercation Forrest had with Ware and two others- taking Forrest's Roloex watch and a championship ring. The state alleged Ware's actions led to Forrest's death, while the defense disagreed.

The other two associated with the case, Jquante Crews and Charman Sinkfield are awaiting trial. Crews' is set for later this year, but Sinkfield's date is not set at present...

Here's a report from our friends at WAGA-TV and MyFoxAtlanta early on in the proceedings in 2009...

Death Penalty Sought in Forrest Case: MyFoxATLANTA.com

Death Penalty Dropped In Forrest Slayings

((HT: AJC-Rankin))

Fulton County ((GA)) prosecutors dropped their pursuits of the death penalty against two of the three men charged in the July murder of former boxing champ Vernon Forrest- this after talking to Forrest's family about it...

Demario Ware and Jquante Crews are now facing life without parole penalties...

Charman Sinkfield, the alleged shooter, is still facing a death penalty charge, and he will now be tried separately from Ware and Crews since his charge is different.

Here is coverage from July of 2009 when the surveillance tape of the gas station Forrest was robbed at was released to the media- and eventually led to the three arrests. Justin Gray had the nightside report...
((HT: MyFoxAtlanta/WAGA-TV))


You'll remember Forrest was filling up his tires at a southwest Atlanta gas station when he was approached for money. When confronted, Forrest's wallet was stolen and he went after the robber on foot.

Forrest was shot several times in the back...

Three Indicted In Forrest Slaying, DA Looking For Death Penalty

((HT: AJC/Leslie))

A Fulton County grand jury has indicted the three men accused in the armed robbery and murder of professional boxer Vernon Forrest.

Charman Sinkfield, 30; Demario Ware, 20; and 25-year-old Jquante Crews were each charged Tuesday in a 10-count indictment with murder, felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard Jr.

Howard said he intends to seek the death penalty for each man.

Howard said on Monday that he would press for the death sentence for all three men -- even though police identified only Sinkfield as the triggerman -- to send a message to would-be violent criminals.

“When you kill somebody in Fulton County in such a senseless and brutal way, the system ... is going to hold you accountable,” he said. “I mean, this guy was shot seven or eight times in the back. Three times, we believe, he was laying on the ground.”

Aunqelique Proctor talked to the Forrest family for WAGA-TV/MyFoxAtlanta

There's a reward outstanding for the return of Forrest's $17,000 Rolex watch and championship ring. It has the inscription of four X's on the surface.

Marcus Garner of the AJC breaks down just how the Atlanta Police Department got the suspects into custody after only a month's investigation.

Alleged Forrest Shooter Arrested

((HT: AJC/Garner-Stevens))

Charmon Sinkfield, 30, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals on Wednesday night, Atlanta police spokesman Officer Eric Schwartz said. He is the third man to be charged in connection with Forrest’s slaying.

An arrest warrant had previously been issued after tips from witnesses and video surveillance led police to Sinkfield. Marshals staked out a home in southwest Atlanta, and they followed a black sedan from Nathan Street to I-20 around 9 p.m., according to Marshal James Ergas.

Twelve unmarked cars trailed the sedan for about 10 minutes Wednesday evening before forcing the vehicle to stop.

Sinkfield, who was in the backseat, was one of three people in the sedan. At one point, he attempted to disguise himself with a wig, Ergas said.

Sinkfield was taken into custody on I-20 near Hamilton E. Holmes Drive. The driver of the sedan was taken into custody for an unrelated incident.

Sinkfield is the final of three suspects whom investigators were seeking in the shooting of the Atlanta boxer. Previously, police arrested two suspects in connection with the fatal shooting Forrest.

Jquante Crews, 25, and Damario Ware, 20, face murder, weapons, assault and robbery charges. Authorities said neither suspect shot Forrest, who was killed outside a southwest Atlanta convenience store July 26.

Sinkfield faces murder, assault and firearms charges.

Here's local coverage as the story broke, thanks to our friends at WAGA-TV/MyFoxAtlanta. Russ Spencer and George Franco are your principals...



Here's the surveillance tape that Atlanta police were using for their initial pursuit of those allegedly involved in the robbery and murder...
Thanks to our friends at WGCL-TV/CBS Atlanta News