FORMER MOREHOUSE STUDENT CONVICTED OF MURDER

Tyrell Campbell Sentenced to Life Plus 10 Years

Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the conviction of 27-year-old Tyrell Campbell of Bolingbrook, Illinois in the shooting death of 37-year-old Gary Paul Francis. After a five-day trial that began February 26th, the Fulton County Superior Court jury found Campbell guilty of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and making false statements to a law enforcement officer. Judge Craig Schwall sentenced the defendant to life in prison plus 10 years.

There was friction between Campbell and the victim who had allowed the defendant to live with him and his girlfriend for a few days after the defendant was evicted from his apartment. They subsequently asked him to leave. On November 3, 2005, after several arguments in various locations around the victim’s Mayson Turner Drive neighborhood, witnesses say Campbell shot Francis in the chest with a .380 semi-automatic pistol. Campbell was arrested on November 6, 2005 with the gun in his book bag.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Linda Dunikoski with assistance from Atlanta Police Detective R. Scandrick, Fulton County DA Investigator David White and DA Victim-Witness Advocate Scott Long.

CONTACT: Lyn Vaughn, 404.730.6860 (office); 770.597.6963 (cell); lyn.vaughn@co.fulton.ga.us