MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CHOKING MAN, THEN DOUSING BODY WITH GREASE AND SALT

Defendant Blames Crack Addiction for Crime, Apologizes

Atlanta- Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces a conviction by guilty plea in the case against Manilito Dunlap, 39. Dunlap was sentenced to thirty years behind bars this morning following his guilty plea to Voluntary Manslaughter and Burglary in connection with the death of 50-year old George Montgomery.

Police discovered Montgomery’s grease and salt covered body in his Ponce De Leon Avenue apartment on February 21, 2009. He had been choked to death, left in his bed and covered with a blanket. One neighbor reported to police that Defendant Dunlap, also known as “Ebo,” had come to him for help following the incident. When the neighbor arrived at the apartment, Dunlap removed the covers from the victim’s body and stated the he had “killed him.” Dunlap was arrested three days later and in a video statement to police claimed that on the day of the incident he and Montgomery were doing drugs together when the victim began making advances towards him by ‘grabbing and touching’ his body. The defendant then placed the victim in a choke-hold and later poured grease and salt on the man’s body in attempt to “wake” him.

During his sentencing hearing before Fulton County Superior Court Judge Michael Johnson this morning, Dunlap blamed a long history of crack cocaine addiction for the crime and then apologized for his actions.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Brett Pinion with assistance from Senior DA Investigator Kip Young. Detective D. Agan of the Atlanta Police Department led the initial investigation.

Atlanta- Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces a conviction by guilty plea in the case against Manilito Dunlap, 39. Dunlap was sentenced to thirty years behind bars this morning following his guilty plea to Voluntary Manslaughter and Burglary in connection with the death of 50-year old George Montgomery.

Police discovered Montgomery’s grease and salt covered body in his Ponce De Leon Avenue apartment on February 21, 2009. He had been choked to death, left in his bed and covered with a blanket. One neighbor reported to police that Defendant Dunlap, also known as “Ebo,” had come to him for help following the incident. When the neighbor arrived at the apartment, Dunlap removed the covers from the victim’s body and stated the he had “killed him.” Dunlap was arrested three days later and in a video statement to police claimed that on the day of the incident he and Montgomery were doing drugs together when the victim began making advances towards him by ‘grabbing and touching’ his body. The defendant then placed the victim in a choke-hold and later poured grease and salt on the man’s body in attempt to “wake” him.

During his sentencing hearing before Fulton County Superior Court Judge Michael Johnson this morning, Dunlap blamed a long history of crack cocaine addiction for the crime and then apologized for his actions.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Brett Pinion with assistance from Senior DA Investigator Kip Young. Detective D. Agan of the Atlanta Police Department led the initial investigation.

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