LEADER OF “30 DEEP” GANG CONVICTED

Defendant Faces Two Life Terms for Execution-Style Killings and Assaults

Atlanta- 21-year-old George “Keon” Redding, widely recognized by many local gang authorities as the leader of the Mechanicsville-based gang, “30 Deep” will spend the rest of his life behind bars following a double murder conviction. After just 2 ½ hours of deliberations Redding was convicted Monday night of Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. Redding’s charges stem from three separate in incidents in which two people were killed and two others shot and wounded.

40-year-old Ronnie Pierce was shot and killed on June 19, 2007 following a dispute with Redding over a gun. Redding believed the victim had stolen a weapon from him and was demanding it back. Pierce, who was unarmed, adamantly denied the theft—in effect standing up for himself against the powerful gang leader. Redding, subsequently chased the victim for several blocks while firing shots at him. Pierce was able to run to momentary refuge on a stranger’s front porch in the 600 block of Windsor Street while screaming for help. Redding cornered the victim on the porch, forced him to the ground and shot him multiple times while towering over him. The victim sustained fatal gunshot wounds throughout his body and face.

On July 1, 2007, 25-year-old Victor Hill was met with a barrage of gunfire while standing in a parking lot on Boulevard Drive in Atlanta. Hill was an apparent random target in an impromptu retaliation shooting. Redding, upset about a recent dispute with a group from the Boulevard area, vowed to shoot the next person he saw “from Boulevard.” He opened fire on Hill and sprayed the area with countless other bullets. There was no indication victim Hill had been involved in the recent spat. A woman who tried to escape the gunfire was wounded in the melee, suffering shots to her back and thigh.

A few weeks later on July 28, 2007, Defendant Redding targeted a third man, an apparent witness to the shooting of Victor Hill. That victim was shot four times while playing basketball in the Boulevard area. He survived his gunshot wounds and testified for the State at trial. Jurors also heard testimony relating to a third murder tied to Defendant Redding. That case is pending indictment.

The murder trial of George Redding, which began on January 24, 2011, included testimony from a hostile witness who hurled profanity-laced remarks at the Judge and prosecutors. There was also key witness testimony from a Fulton County Jail inmate who was beaten by members of “30 Deep” prior to testifying at trial. Jurors watched a videotaped recording of the inmate’s terrifying encounter. The inmate courageously testified despite his abuse and was an important factor in the jury’s determination of guilt. At the start of trial, Redding attempted to mask a “30 Deep” tattoo on his forehead with make-up. He was forced to remove the make-up and reveal the tattoo during testimony regarding his identification.

Redding was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences plus 40-years by presiding Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shawn LaGrua.

The case was prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Gang Unit led by Chief Senior District Attorney Gabe Banks in partnership with Chief Senior District Attorney Lance Cross. DA Investigator Ernest Nesmith assisted with the State’s Investigation. Detectives J. Thorpe and M. Willis with the Atlanta Police Department led the primary investigation.

Media Contact: Yvette Brown, 404-224-0560/404-392-8867, yvette.brown@fultoncountyga.gov