Guilty verdict in May 2023 murder of Jaquavious Lackey:

The trial of State v. Jacarie Anttwonn Justice (20 years old at the time) ended this morning with a verdict of guilty of all counts for the murder of Jaquavious Lackey (19 years old at the time) at a residence on Lawn Way in Newton County on May 29, 2023. Justice was found guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony, and Cruelty to Children in the Third Degree.

The trial began with jury selection on Monday April 27. Beginning on Tuesday, the State presented witnesses and evidence that showed the following: Lackey had a child with the Defendant's sister. Lackey came to their residence when an altercation began with Lackey's child's mother, the Defendant, and the Defendant's girlfriend trying to fight Lackey. After being attacked by multiple individuals, Lackey broke free and proceeded to grab a firearm from his vehicle. Lackey then fired the gun into the air.

Jaquavious Lackey

The parties then separated. The Defendant and others saw Lackey then put his firearm into his car. Lackey then approached the Defendant wanting to fight and throwing a punch at the Defendant. The Defendant took out his own firearm, despite knowing that Lackey was no longer armed, and shot the victim. Lackey then ran away, but the Defendant shot him two more times in the back. Lackey fell to the ground. The Defendant then went to where Lackey had fallen and shot him one more time in the chest as Lackey lay defenseless on the ground.

A neighbor's home surveillance camera recorded the entire incident. This video was played for the jury multiple times. A juvenile neighbor saw the shooting through his window. He described seeing Lackey on the ground and in no way a threat to the Defendant when the Defendant stood over Lackey and shot him.

At trial, the defense argued that he acted in self-defense. The Court instructed the jury thoroughly on the law of self-defense and that there is no duty to retreat when acting in self-defense. During deliberations, the jury rewatched the Defendant's interview and the surveillance video of the incident. The jury's verdict shows that they unanimously rejected the Defendant's self-defense argument.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Bailey Wilkinson, Investigator Danny Peppers, Victim Services Director Leslie Smith, Victim Advocate Madison Sanders, Trial Assistant Danielle Miller, and Legal Assistant Sheila Cornelius. The investigator and arrest were handled by the Newton County Sheriff's Office with assistance from the GBI Crime Lab. Juvenile witnesses received services from A Child's Voice Child Advocacy Center.

The Court ordered that a pre-sentence investigation be completed with sentencing hearing to be scheduled once that report is completed.

Sadly, young men involved with firearms continue to make decisions that have drastic and long-lasting consequences. I want to thank the prosecution team and the entire office for their hard work prosecuting this emotional case.

DA Randy McGinley