MAN MURDERS GIRLFRIEND AND SHOOTS HER MOTHER

Robert Ponder Sentenced to Life in Prison Plus 80 Years

Atlanta-Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard announces the conviction of 23-year-old Robert Ponder of Atlanta in the April 2003 murder of his girlfriend, Martina Moore. Ponder was convicted of murder, felony murder, burglary, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

The 21-year-old murder victim and her mother were outside their apartment at 2275 Brooks Avenue when Ponder confronted them and demanded the repayment of money he said Moore owed him. She denied owing him money, and ran inside. Her mother, Gail Brown, argued with Ponder who then shot her and kicked open the locked door to their apartment. During his shooting spree, Ponder shot and killed Moore and wounded Julius Pitts, a guest in Brown and Moore's home. Both Brown and Pitts, who recovered from their wounds, testified during the trial and identified Ponder as the person who had shot them.

Assistant District Attorney Charles Webb prosecuted the case. Superior Court Judge M. Gino Brogdon presided. He sentenced Ponder to a life sentence plus 80 years.

CONTACT: Lyn Vaughn, 404-224-0560 (office); 404-533-1381 (pager)