SWIFT JUSTICE FOR FORMER PRINCIPAL WHO GUNNED DOWN WIFE, GIRLFRIEND AND TERRORIZED STEPDAUGHTER

Defendant Feared Having Affair Exposed, Losing Job

Atlanta- Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces a conviction by jury trial in the aggravated assault case against 43-year-old Rodney Denson, a former Atlanta middle school assistant principal. Jurors Thursday evening took less than twenty minutes to convict Denson of all counts including two counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Cruelty to Children in the First Degree and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony for a 2004 shooting spree in which his estranged wife Elleta Denson and his mistress Nicki Bowers were injured. The defendant’s stepdaughter, while not physically injured, was emotionally traumatized by the events. Following his conviction, Denson was sentenced to 35-years in prison by presiding Fulton County Superior Court Judge Michael Johnson.

The string of events unfolded on November 22, 2004 around six o’clock in the morning when Denson, estranged from his wife, returned to their marital home on Palace Lane in Fairburn. The defendant approached his wife in the basement and fired six shots, striking her four times in the stomach and legs. Denson’s 16-year-old stepdaughter, hearing the gunshots, rushed to the basement to investigate and encountered the gun-wielding defendant. Denson chased the teenager upstairs and pointed a gun at her forcing her to cower on the floor in fear. The defendant then fled the premises and drove to Clayton County to his mistress’ home and shot her three times. Both shooting victims survived their gunshot wounds. Denson’s motive for the shootings was apparent anger and fear of having his affair exposed publicly which, he believed, would have cost him his job. He hoped shooting the women would keep them quiet about his indiscretions.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney Pete Johnson with assistance from ADA Jameekia Davis and Senior DA Investigator Steve Barresi. Detective S. Brown of the Fairburn Police Department led the initial investigation.

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