GUILTY VERDICT IN HISTORIC I-R-C STREET GANG CASE

Defendants Convicted in First of  Eight Murders Tied to Gang

 Atlanta- Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces a conviction by jury trial in the first of eight murder cases against members of the criminal street gang known as the International Robbing Crew (IRC). Carlos Drennon, Maurice Hargrove, Edward (Slugga) Morris, and Daquan Stevens, were convicted Monday for the attempted armed robbery, aggravated assault and subsequent murder of Randy Griffin and sentenced to life and additional jail terms for their crimes.  Vincent Troy Morris, who did not participate in the murder, was sentenced to 60 years for his role in the robbery attempt. A separate defendant, Tiffany Bankston, pled guilty during the course of the trial to participation in criminal street gang activity and received five years probation.

The defendants are six of 12 members named in a 60-count indictment charging the IRC with eight (8) murders, participation in criminal street gang activity, and other related charges.

The first trial centered on the attempted armed robbery and murder of Randy Griffin, a local jeweler with a reputation of being ”Iced Out,” a street term for wearing a lot of expensive jewelry. According to the investigation, the IRC had a history of robbing individuals of drugs, money and jewelry and eventually killing them. On May 22, 2007, members of the IRC followed Mr. Griffin home from the Magic City strip club. When he arrived at his residence with his girlfriend, other gang members who had been lying in wait emerged from the bushes with guns drawn and a shootout occurred.  The victim managed to escape but his girlfriend was shot in the hand.  Two members of the IRC were shot in the chest and leg, respectively.  While at the hospital with his girlfriend, Mr. Griffin identified the IRC gang member who sustained a gunshot wound to his chest as one of the individuals who attempted to rob him.  The gang member, later identified as Carlos Drennon, was arrested for attempted armed robbery and aggravated assault.  No other IRC gang members were identified or arrested that evening.        

The following day, while still recovering from surgery, investigators say Drennon began making several jailhouse telephone calls to other gang members ordering the death of Griffin.  Griffin was shot and killed outside an Atlanta nightclub three weeks later on June 10, 2007.  

Carlos Drennon apologized to the victim’s mother and son for their loss and for his role in Griffin’s death. Maurice Hargrove and Edward Morris showed no remorse and even smirked and laughed during sentencing.

Superior Court Judge Henry Newkirk presided over the case. It was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney’s Gabe Banks and Eleanor Ross with assistance from DA Investigator Thomas Sheppard. Detective David Quinn of the Atlanta Police Department led the initial investigation.

The seven other murder cases will be set for trial at a later date.

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