LIFE PLUS 55-YEARS IN DRUG-RELATED HOME INVASION AMBUSH

Mastermind and Accomplice Found Guilty, Three Others to Plea

Atlanta- Two Atlanta men are facing life in prison for the home invasion turned murder of a fellow drug dealer. Jurors have convicted Mark Thorton, 23, and Dijuan Marshall, 22, of Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Criminal Attempt to Commit Armed Robbery, Burglary, Conspiracy and various weapons charges in connection with the death of 24-year old Joshua Scott.

Scott was killed on November 18, 2008 during an early morning shoot-out in his College Park home. The victim was awake and armed while making a sandwich in his kitchen around 3 a.m. when three armed men suddenly kicked in his front door and stormed the house yelling, “Police!”. Quickly realizing the intruders were not police, Scott opened fire on two of the men—striking one of them in the hip. The gunmen returned fire striking the victim with a deadly shot to the chest.

While he did not enter the home or fire shots, Defendant Mark Thornton was the mastermind of the deadly home invasion. He enlisted the help of four men, including co-defendant Dijuan Marshall to rob the victim (Thorton’s drug supplier) of drugs and money. Thorton later drove the two shooters- Anthony Brooks and Simeon Slade-to the hospital so Slade, who was injured by the victim’s shot, could receive treatment. The gunmen were arrested at the hospital and later confessed the details of the crime to police. That confession led to the arrest of Thornton, co –defendant Dijuan Marshall and a fifth man, Wayne Mayers, who drove a second car to the scene, but never got out of the car.

Simeon Slade (one of the shooters) and Wayne Mayers testified on behalf of the State and will be sentenced following a plea agreement on Thursday. Brooks will be sentenced to 25-years in prison and Slade will receive 20-years behind bars. Wayne Mayers, the driver of the second car will be sentenced to five years in prison for his role.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Craig Schwall presided over the case. It was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Linda Dunikoski with assistance from ADA Steven Jones and DA Investigator Michael Green. Detective Mark McGowan, formerly of the Fulton County Police Department, led the initial investigation.

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