Guilty Pleas in 2001 Buckhead Robberies, Assaults

Two Defendants Get 25 Years, Third Sentenced to 12 as Get-Away Driver

Atlanta-Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. (Atlanta Judicial Circuit) announces that, following their guilty pleas, Michael Dowdell (26) and Nicholas Brown (25) have been sentenced to 25 years (20 of which are to be served in prison, with the balance probated) for two October 2001 robberies and assaults. The defendants each pleaded guilty to armed robbery (two counts), aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (two counts). A third defendant, Terrell Miller (26), who acted as the get-away driver in both incidents, pleaded guilty to robbery and received a sentence of 12 years (seven of which are to be served in prison, with the balance probated). On 2 October 2001, the defendants entered the Canton Chopsticks restaurant at 1923 Howell Mill Road in northwest Atlanta, produced guns and demanded money from an employee, Mr. Alam Chen. They then fled the scene. Then, the following day, the defendants entered a Quik Mart convenience store at 54 Pharr Road in Buckhead, again produced weapons, demanded money, and shot the clerk, Mr. Mohammed Bashir Niass, several times before fleeing. During the robbery, Dowdell apparently either shot himself or was shot by Brown, which necessitated their seeking medical attention at Grady Memorial Hospital. Meanwhile, Mr. Niass had just been brought to the hospital, and police detained the suspects shortly thereafter.

These defendants are also charged in the September 2001 shooting death of another convenience store clerk, Mr. Vishal Modi, in Dekalb County.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Todd Ashley prosecuted the case; Atlanta Police Detectives R. Hall and B. Monkus investigated; and Judge Marvin Arrington presided.

CONTACT: Erik Friedly, 404-224-0560 (office); 404-533-1381 (pager)