In a trial that lasted 28 days, has finally come to a conclusion and while there were no winners in the outcome of the State of Georgia v. Gary Bradford, Deandre Washington and Maurice Conner, the jury has finally reached a verdict. Deliberations lasted around 10 hours and when the verdict was returned, their decision was almost as . The courtroom was packed with family members from both Gary Bradford’s and Lil Phat’s family.
Security was extremely tight as the courtroom was packed with law enforcement from both Fulton County Sheriff office, Atlanta Police Department and the Sandy Springs lead Detective JT Williams.
Certain witness testimony obviously had an impact on the jury’s decision since Eldorado Red was not found guilty of murder. Even though former college basketball star Decensae White testified that the rapper ordered the killing of Lil Phat, the jurors didn’t buy it. Prosecutors played Eldorado Red’s 100 shooters video and brought in a gang expert who testified that there were many elements in the video that are indicative of gang affiliation might have swayed the jury’s decision to convict him of Participation in Criminal Street Gang Activity.
Eldorado Red’s 100 Shooters video was played for the jury
In addition, the jurors heard testimony from a former Crips gang member who said he had bought drugs from the rapper and that BGM was not a record label but a gang. Defense attorney David Wolfe told the jury during closings that the real head of the Montgomery, Alabama Bloods gang was already in jail and that Eldorado Red was merely visiting the city because his family were residents. In contrast to those statements, the jurors heard a court-authorized wiretap between his girlfriend and him arranging a drug transaction which may have help them come to that conclusion. But does selling drugs alone make you a gang member? That question will likely be addressed in Bradford’s appeal his attorney has already indicated will be filed within 30 days.
25-year-old Deandre Washington, the triggerman, was convicted of Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, Participation in Criminal Street Gang Activity and weapons offenses and sentenced to Life without Parole plus 20 years.
Prosecutors called admitted killer Jordan Thomas to the witness stand to provide testimony against Washington. Thomas who is currently awaiting prosecution for a murder in Alabama told the jurors that Washington admitted to him that he was the one who shot Lil Phat. He said Washington told him how he saw Lil Phat sitting inside his vehicle at the Northside Hospital parking deck and fired shots inside of the back of his car.
Maurice Conner was sentenced to 30 years for participation in criminal street gang activity, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
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