KILLER CONVICTED FOR STABBING DEATH OF MAN WHO “BLEW SMOKE” IN HIS FACE

Victim Was Shelter Worker Trying to Turn His Life Around

Atlanta- Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the conviction by jury trial of 44-year old Daryl White of Atlanta. White was convicted late Tuesday of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Knife During the Commission of a Felony for the death of 59-year old Ronald Price, an employee of the Atlanta Mission Union, a men’s homeless shelter.

The incident happened on March 10, 2007 as mission workers were clearing the shelter for its daily cleaning. The victim was outside smoking a cigarette and hanging out with some of the residents. The defendant, who had stayed at the shelter the night before, walked up to Mr. Price and stabbed him in the chest seemingly unprovoked. Price thought he had simply been “hit too hard”. According to testimony, the defendant then responded, “I hope you die.” He later told investigators the victim “should not have blown smoke in my face.”

Ronald Price was a recovering alcoholic who had graduated from the shelter’s alcohol program four-years earlier. He began working there in an effort to give something back.

Superior Court Judge Constance Russell, who presided over the case, sentenced Daryl White to Life in Prison plus five years.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney Fani Willis and ADA Hannah Chung with assistance from Senior DA Investigator Felipe Brown. Detective Gayle Nichols of the Atlanta Police Department led the initial investigation.

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