ATLANTA MADAME ONCE A FUGITIVE, NOW A CONVICTED MURDERER

Defendant Masterminded Deadly Armed Robbery Plot

Atlanta- Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces a conviction by jury trial in the murder case against an Atlanta Madame, once a most-wanted fugitive. Kisha Rutledge was convicted Friday night of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Criminal Attempt to Commit Armed Robbery and Conspiracy for the shooting death of Keith Alan Brown.

Brown was shot and killed in his Milton apartment on June 12, 2007. According to the investigation, co-defendants Jeff Dulcio and Stephen Woods, previously convicted of Brown’s murder, tried to break into the victim’s home to steal money. The victim, in defense, began shooting at the intruders—one of whom shot back before fleeing the scene. The victim managed to call 9-1-1 for help but died shortly after being struck by the shooter’s bullets. Other witnesses in the complex heard the gunshots and saw a man running from the victim’s home with a gun in his hand.

The burglars were apparently working under the direction of Defendant Kisha Rutledge, the owner of an escort service. She orchestrated the robbery after learning the victim had thousands of dollars in cash in his home. Rutledge enlisted the help of Michelle Morrison—a local adult entertainer- to drive her and the other defendants to the apartment. The women waited in the car while the men went inside.

Jeff Dulcio and Michelle Morrison were convicted in 2009 of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Criminal Attempt to Commit Armed Robbery and Conspiracy for Brown’s death and sentenced to life in prison plus five years. Stephen Woods, a third defendant pled guilty in 2009 as well to Criminal Attempt to Commit Armed Robbery and a weapons charge. As part of his plea agreement, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in the set-up.

Kisha Rutledge fled the State prior to the prosecution of the other defendants. She was captured in 2009 in Houston after being featured on the television program “America’s Most Wanted.” Superior Court Judge Marvin Arrington who presided over the case sentenced Rutledge to life in prison.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Tanya Miller with assistance from Senior ADA Yolanda Mack and DA Investigator G.G. Carawan. Detective Travis Parker of the Milton Police Department and Brian Johnston of the GBI led the initial investigation.

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