Conviction in March 2022 murder of Charles Edward Stanley, III:

Charles Edwards Stanley, III

Just after 1pm today, a Newton County jury returned a verdict finding Shane Alexander Robinson guilty of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony. After the verdict, the Court set sentencing for a later date. Robinson remains in custody.

The charges stem from an incident on March 5, 2022, on Harvey Wood Drive. Evidence at trial showed that Robinson shot an AR style firearm 13 times into the vehicle Stanley was driving. Stanley was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound he received. A co-defendant’s case is still pending.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Amber Dally, Investigator Justin Hipps, Victim Services Director Leslie Smith, Trial Assistant Danielle Miller, and Legal Assistant Anna Sugg. The investigation was handled by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the GBI Crime Lab.

Randy McGinley

District Attorney

Alcovy Judicial Circuit

Man Sentenced to Maximum Punishment for 2023 Memorial Day Weekend Vehicular Homicide:

Last month, Stephen James Taffe pleaded guilty to First Degree Vehicular Homicide, DUI, Driving While License Suspended, Following Too Closely, and Open Container. During the Memorial Day 2023 weekend, the Defendant struck a vehicle driven by Angelina Fuller (pictured) from behind, which led to the death of Ms. Fuller. Later testing found that the Defendant’s blood alcohol level was 0.284, more than 3 times the legal limit.

Angelina Fuller

It was also discovered that the Defendant’s vehicle had an ignition interlock device installed. This device requires a breath sample to test for alcohol prior to allowing the vehicle to operate and was installed because of Taffe’s prior DUI conviction.

At the sentencing hearing, Assistant District Attorney Madison Caito presented evidence from the ignition interlock device company that showed the device was tampered with, allowing the Defendant to drive his car while under the influence of alcohol. The Court also heard a 911 call from a concerned citizen who was attempting to help law enforcement find the defendant’s vehicle after she saw him driving extremely erratically. During the hearing, the State discussed recorded jail calls from the defendant that showed a lack of remorse. Finally, the court heard from numerous friends and family members of Ms. Fuller about the impact her death has had on them. 

After hearing the evidence and argument from the State and defense, the Court accepted the State’s sentencing recommendation of 17 years in confinement. This amounts to the maximum sentence allowed under the law for these offenses. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Madison Caito, Investigator Josh Shumate, Senior Victim Advocate Shay Payne, Trial Assistant Ellen Bales, and Legal Assistant Lila Geiger. The investigation was led by the Georgia State Patrol with assistance from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the GBI Crime Lab, and the DA’s Office. 

"When someone drives under the influence, it turns their car into a weapon that can kill. Any loss of life due to a DUI driver is unacceptable and tragic, but this case is especially egregious. Not only did Taffe have a history of DUIs and he was extremely intoxicated, but he also took steps to bypass a device installed in his car that was designed to stop him from driving if he had alcohol in his system. 

Nothing will undo the loss Ms. Fuller’s family suffered. But I hope this sentence can send a message to every driver out there that driving under the influence is unacceptable.”

Randy McGinley

District Attorney

Alcovy Judicial Circuit

Man sentenced to life without parole for murder of his wife:

Niki McKenzie

Yesterday, March 24, 2025, the sentencing hearing for Arrief McKenzie was held after his February 25, 2025 guilty plea to the murder of Niki McKenzie. The Court heard from numerous witnesses, including family members of the victim, former coworkers of the victim, a family member of the Defendant, and a psychologist on behalf of the Defendant. After a full day of testimony and argument, the Court sentenced Arrief McKenzie to life without parole plus 20 years.

In 2019, the Defendant pleaded guilty to family violence battery against his wife, Niki McKenzie. As part of the conditions of his sentence, the Defendant was to have no contact with Niki. Additionally, a court granted a temporary protective order, also ordering no contact. Due to this, the Defendant moved out of their Newton County home to a residence in Gwinnett County. During this time, the Defendant began to see another woman, Jillian Myles-Walters.

In the early morning hours of March 3, 2020, the Defendant went to Jillian’s townhouse apartment where she lived with her two young twin boys. The Defendant took a knife from Jillian’s kitchen and proceeded to stab and cut Jillian 7 times, leading to her death. The Defendant then fled the area and headed towards Niki’s residence.

When Niki raised the garage to head to work, the Defendant ambushed her. With the same knife that he used to kill Jillian, the Defendant stabbed and cut Niki 21 times. Family members in the house heard screams and called 911. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office quickly responded, arriving at the gruesome scene and finding Niki dead from her wounds. Based on the evidence collected and the statements given by family at the house, warrants were quickly obtained for the Defendant.

A short time later, the Defendant was stopped for suspicion of DUI in Dunwoody. During that stop, the Dunwoody Officer observed a large amount of blood on the Defendant’s clothes and his car. After removing some open beer bottles on his passenger seat, the officer found the knife that was used in both murders in the vehicle.

The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Randy McGinley, Chief Assistant District Attorney Amber Dally, Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Bailey Wilkinson, Deputy Chief Investigator Jill Lumpkin, Chief Investigator Kelly Whire, Senior Victim Advocate Shay Payne, Victim Advocate Gabby Arredondo, Trial Assistant Ellen Bales, and Senior Legal Assistant Cindi Hendrix. The investigation was led by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the Gwinnett County Police Department, and the District Attorney’s Office with assistance from the Dunwoody Police Department, the GBI Crime Lab, and the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office. The victim’s family received services from A Child’s Voice.

The charges in Gwinnett are pending.

I first want to thank Niki’s family for their everlasting support of their loved one. She raised amazing children who will push forward and do great things. While this conclusion will not undo what happened, the sentence will provide some level of justice for the family. But it also sends a strong message to our community that crimes like this will lead to the most severe consequences. I also want to thank the hard work of multiple agencies working together to bringing justice to Niki’s family.

Randy McGinley

District Attorney

Alcovy Judicial Circuit