ATLANTA MAN GUILTY IN DEATH OF LIVE-IN GIRLFRIEND

Victim Killed During Rage Over Counterfeit Money

Atlanta­- Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces a conviction by jury trial in the murder case against 57-year old Samuel Bell of Atlanta. Bell was convicted Friday afternoon of Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime for the death of his girlfriend, Cathy Denune, 47.

Denune was killed April 5, 2008 at the Midtown apartment the couple shared. According to an eyewitness—one of the couples’ roommates-- the defendant became enraged when he could not find counterfeit money he had purchased. He then drew a gun and shot the victim once in the chest. Another roommate who was in an adjacent room rushed the victim to the hospital where she later died. The defendant fled the scene and escaped to Florida where he was later captured in a high speed chase.

Samuel Bell was immediately sentenced to life plus 25 years by Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville who presided over the case.

It was prosecuted by Senior District Attorney Fani Willis with assistance from ADA Charissa Ruel and DA Investigator Olyemphis Huff. Detective K.M. Otts of the Atlanta Police Department led the initial investigation.

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