This morning, Amorieyan Tyqwon Weaver (pictured 2nd) entered a guilty plea to Murder and related charges in the shooting death of Quindadarious Russell (pictured 1st). He received a sentence of Life in prison for Malice Murder and 15 additional years for other charges and crimes. Weaver was 17 years old at the time of the murder and Russell was 19.
Less than one month before the murder, Weaver went to a female’s house to confront the female about her giving one of his shirts to another male. When no one answered the door at the female’s house, Weaver begins to stomp on the hood of her car. The female refused to open the door and Weaver began to shoot into the apartment. No one was struck by the bullets that entered the residence. After leaving the scene, Weaver sent the other male a message that he would shoot up the apartment again.
Then, on October 19, 2020, Weaver went to Russell’s residence on Springfield Way and shot Russell in the head through the bathroom window. The investigation into this murder included extensive digging through phone records, surveillance video, and social media records. The evidence showed the Weaver and Russell had a recent relationship that Weaver did not want others knowing about. Weaver was upset with Russell because Russell did not want the same thing Weaver wanted in the relationship.
Weaver used social media accounts registered to an ex-girlfriend to communicate with Russell. After the murder, Weaver attempted to get this ex-girlfriend to delete this social media account. The timeline of messages between Weaver and Russell match with the surveillance videos of Weaver entering a vehicle that is seen entering the victim’s neighborhood.
In addition to admitting his guilt to the Malice Murder, the Defendant also pleaded guilty to Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. He also entered a guilty plea to the prior incident which included two counts of Aggravated Assault, two counts of Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree, and Possession of Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Amber Dally, Assistant District Attorney Briana Carter, Investigator Lisa Rivers, Victim Advocate Ellen Bales, and Legal Assistant Cami Odom. The investigation was handled by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the Newton County District Attorney’s Office, the Covington Police Department (handled the shooting incident the month prior), the GBI Crime Lab, the Coroner, and Covington-Newton 911 Center.
The District Attorney’s Office is proud of this resolution that involves Weaver admitting guilt to the Murder of Quin Russell (pictured first). We hope that this brings a level of closure to his family. Chief ADA Dally and ADA Carter were prepared to present this case to a jury during the week of June 5th. The hard work of these prosecutors and others in the District Attorney’s Office played a big part in Weaver admitting guilty prior to the start of a trial. – DA Randy McGinley
