TESTIMONY CONTINUES IN THE "CHAINSAW" MURDER TRIAL

One-Time Fugitive Defendant Chaunson Lavel McKibbins Charged With Killing and Cutting Up His Friend

Senior Assistant District Attorneys Kimberly Esmond Adams and Brett Pinion of the Major Case Unit continue the presentation of evidence in the murder trial of Chaunson McKibbins tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 5-F in the Fulton County Justice Center Tower. Following five days of jury selection, the panel was sworn in and heard opening statements this morning. McKibbins, a convicted drug trafficker, is charged with killing 27-year-old Demetrius Robbins in November 2001. McKibbins allegedly kidnapped, tortured and killed his long-time friend because he believed the victim had stolen a kilogram of cocaine from him. Police say the defendant cut up the victim's body with a chainsaw. Robbins' head was found buried in Fulton County; the rest of his body was buried in Dekalb County.
McKibbins was convicted in absentia of cocaine trafficking in 1999. He escaped while on trial by asking to use the restroom-he never returned. He was on the run until his capture in October 2004. He is charged with murder, felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injury and concealing the death of another.

WHO: Chaunson L. McKibbins, defendant

WHAT: Prosecution presenting its case

WHEN: Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: Fulton County Justice Center Tower
185 Central Avenue, Atlanta
Courtroom 5-F
Judge Ural Glanville

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