16-YR-OLD MURDERED AT FAMILY FUNERAL GATHERING

Defendant Jehrod Romer Convicted—Sentencing Set For November 6th

Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the conviction late Friday, October 19th, of 25-year-old Jehrod Romer of College Park in the February 13, 2006 death of 16-year-old Quantavia Hill. The Superior Court jury found Romer guilty on all 6 counts—murder, two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm during a felony by a first offender on probation. Judge Bensonetta T. Lane has scheduled a sentencing hearing for Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. The defendant is facing a mandatory life term.

Following a funeral, friends and members of the Owens family gathered at 504 Tarragon Way in southwest Atlanta. In the midst of a card game, the defendant became angry, accused a friend of the victim’s of cheating and pulled out a gun. As participants scattered, the defendant began chasing people, including the victim—who wasn’t involved in the card game—and shot him in the back. Atlanta police officers arrested Romer the next day.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Ross prosecuted the case. Investigations were conducted by APD Officer D. Dumas and Fulton County District Attorney Inv. Fred Hall. Victim-witness services were provided by Monique Masses of the DA’s Victim-Witness Assistance Program.

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