FIGHT OVER BOTTLE OF WHISKEY LEADS TO MURDER

Larry Booker Convicted of Murdering Friend Over A Bottle of Canadian Mist

Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the conviction of Larry Booker of Atlanta in the September 23, 2005 murder of his friend Victor Edwards. The defendant, the victim and witness Jeffery Bolton were socializing at the victim’s Glen Iris Drive home that Friday night. After an evening of imbibing alcohol, the defendant and the victim became intoxicated. They were arguing over a bottle of Canadian Mist whiskey when defendant Booker pulled a .22 caliber pistol and fired one shot into his host’s head. The 49-year-old Edwards died at the scene.

On Thursday, August 16th, a Fulton County Superior Court jury found Booker guilty of felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Judge Marvin Arrington sentenced the five-time convicted felon to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

During the four-day trial, which started Monday, Booker testified in his own behalf saying the shooting was accidental and he didn’t mean to kill his friend. Senior ADA Linda Dunikoski presented the eye-witness testimony and evidence that the defendant fled after the shooting. He was arrested two blocks away from the victim’s home with the murder weapon in his back pocket.

Dunikoski was assisted in the prosecution of the case by ADA Chris Toles. The case was investigated by Detective J. Brown of the Atlanta Police Department and David White of the Fulton DA’s Investigative Unit. Shantae Wilson of the DA’s Victim-Witness Unit assisted family members and witnesses.

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