HIGH ON DRUGS, DEFENDANT GUNS DOWN LIFE-LONG FRIEND

Jury Convicts, Gunman Sentenced to Life

Atlanta- A Fulton County jury has convicted 29-year old Andre Hester, Atlanta, of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and weapons charges for the shooting death of his friend Antonio Merrell, 30.

Merrell was shot and killed on December 6, 2007 while socializing with friends at a home on Eason Street in Atlanta. Twenty minutes prior to the shooting, Defendant Hester visited the home, retrieved a gun and left. When he returned, he headed for a bedroom in the rear of the home and shot the victim twice in the back of the head without notice. He fled to Lithonia where he was arrested later that evening. Hester offered no motive for the shooting, but was high on cocaine at the time of the murder.

Senior Judge Robert Mallis, who presided over the case, sentenced Hester to life in prison plus five years.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Dalia Racine with assistance from ADA Andrea Thomas and DA Investigators Bernadette Hernandez and David White. Detective D. Coleman of the Atlanta Police Department led the initial investigation.

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