JOY RIDE TURNS INTO DEADLY ROBBERY SET-UP

First of Two Defendants Convicted, Sentenced to Life

Atlanta- Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the conviction by jury trial of 26 year old Darius Jordan of Atlanta. Jordan was found guilty Thursday afternoon of multiple charges including Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault and weapons charges for the armed robbery and shooting death of 35 year old James Yarbrough and armed robbery of 22 year old Kenneth Kaiser.

On December 22, 2007, officers responded to Sandy Lane and King Smith Road in Atlanta where they found victim Yarbrough lying in the street bleeding heavily from a single gunshot wound to the stomach. A neighbor called 911 after hearing a gunshot and then heard a car speeding away from the scene. Yarbrough died at the hospital from his injuries.

According to the investigation, Defendant Jordan approached the victim and his nephew, Kaiser, as they were walking to a check-cashing business on Jonesboro Road and offered them a ride. The victim entered the store and cashed a check for approximately $1500 in full-view of Defendant Jordan. Jordan then drove the men to several locations to purchase crack cocaine and marijuana. While driving around, the Jordan called his alleged accomplice Quantavious Grier and orchestrated a plan to rob the victims of their drugs and money. When Jordan arrived at the “set-up” location on King Smith Road, Grier approached the vehicle and ordered the victim and his nephew to get out of the car and ‘give it up.’ While Grier held the men at gunpoint, Defendant Jordan, once their gracious driver, began to rifle through the victims’ pockets stealing their money and drugs. Victim Yarbrough, upset about being robbed, rushed the gunman who in turn shot him in the stomach. The robbers then fled the scene. Though initially denying his involvement, Defendant Jordan was easily identified from surveillance video at the check- cashing store where he was seen wearing a red Santa hat and bright colored jacket.

Following the guilty verdict, Darius Jordan was sentenced to two concurrent life sentences plus twenty-five years. Quantavious Grier, the alleged gunman, will be tried separately later this year.

Senior Judge Stephanie Manis presided over the case. Senior Assistant District Attorney Pete Johnson led the prosecution with assistance from ADA Leetra Harris and DA Investigator Stephen Barresi. Detective K. Otts of the Atlanta Police Department led the initial investigation.

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