SECOND LIFE SENTENCE FOR CONVICTED MURDERER

Jury Deliberates 30 Minutes before Returning Verdict in Separate Death

Atlanta- A Fulton County Jury has returned a guilty verdict in the murder case against 30-year old Jarvis Matthews of Atlanta. Matthews was convicted late Thursday of Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Armed Robbery and Possession of a Firearm for the 2002 robbery and shooting death of 27-year old Juan Ramirez.

Ramirez was killed in August of 2002 just a short time after meeting the defendant. The two met at an apartment complex in Southeast Atlanta where Ramirez sought to purchase marijuana from the defendant. As the victim walked in front of him, Matthews drew a gun and ordered Ramirez to “give it up”. The victim resisted and was shot. Witnesses then saw Matthews searching the victim’s pockets for money before fleeing on foot.  He was arrested a month later.

Jurors deliberated for approximately 30 minutes before returning a verdict of guilt. Matthews was sentenced to life in prison to run consecutive to a life sentence he is currently serving for a separate 2003 murder conviction. 

Superior Court Judge Kimberly Esmond Adams presided over the case. It was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Tanya Miller and ADA Charissa Henrich with assistance from DA Investigators Stephen Barresi, Kelvin Roberts and G.G. Carawan. Detective D. B. Mathis of the Atlanta Police Department led the initial investigation.

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