CAREGIVER CONVICTED OF MURDERING 93-YEAR-OLD

Alvin Sanford Was Supposed To Take Care of Victim and His 95-Year-Old Wife

Atlanta resident Alvin Dexter Sanford will be sentenced Monday morning following his conviction today on charges of murdering 93-year-old John "Bud" Robinson on August 17, 2006. The victim and his 95-year-old common-law wife had allowed the defendant to live with them for three years because he was a down-on-his-luck friend of the wife's son. He was supposed to "look out for them." Fueled by a drug and alcohol addiction and an all day bout of drinking, the defendant stabbed to death the victim and stole the couple's money and car. Neighbors saw Sanford driving away at about 1:00 a.m.

The wife's grandson found his paralyzed grandmother unattended, unfed and frightened at 4:00 p.m. on the same day. Her hospice nurse had visited that morning, but couldn't get inside. Police located the defendant later the day of the murder at his sister's home, wearing pants stained with the victim's blood. The Robinson's 2003 Ford Taurus was parked there.

Today, a Fulton County Superior Court jury found the defendant guilty of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony and theft by taking. Senior Assistant District Attorney Tammi Fuller, who prosecuted, says sentencing is scheduled for Monday, August 27th at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 8-A, Judge John Goger presiding.

Senior ADA Sally Butler co-prosecuted; APD Detective A. C. Smith investigated along with Patrice Nesbitt and Fred Hall of the DA's Investigations Unit. Janel Wheeler with the DA's Office assisted the victims and witnesses.

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