Atlanta Woman Sentenced to Life for Contract Killing of Teen

Defendant Ordered Hit Because Victim "Disrespected" Her

Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the guilty verdict in the case against 25-year old Carlisha Gray of Atlanta. A jury convicted Gray this morning of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and criminal solicitation for the death of 18-year old Marcus Jones. The hit man, Terrence Conyers, 24, pled guilty to similar charges last week after the start of the trial.

Authorities say Carlisha Gray and the victim, Marcus Jones, argued over drug turf on February 19, 2006. During the argument, Jones, slapped the defendant and embarrassed her in front of a crowd of people. Gray later solicited her co-defendant, Terrence Conyers, to kill the teenager. Three days later the two tracked the boy down on Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta. He was shot three times-in the stomach, leg and back- in front of a crowd. He died at short time later at Grady Memorial Hospital.

Superior Court Judge Michael Johnson who presided over the case sentenced Gray to life plus ten years. Conyers was sentenced to life.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Shondeana Morris and Lance Cross. Detective Michael Willis of the Atlanta Police Department was the lead detective. The case was investigated by Kurtis Young and Marshall English of the Fulton County District Attorney's Investigations Unit.

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