FOILED ROBBERY PLOT ENDS IN MURDER OF ATLANTA MAN

Jury Convicts Mastermind and Triggerman in Deadly Scheme to Get Money for Parking Tickets

Atlanta- Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces a guilty verdict in the murder trial against 29-year old Denarryl Head and Christopher Andre Sutton, 21. The Atlanta men were convicted of multiple charges including Murder, Aggravated Assault, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in the death of 24-year old Dwight Smith and the assault of another man.

The incident happened November 24, 2006 in the victim’s Northwest Atlanta home. Authorities say he was targeted in a robbery plot orchestrated by defendant Denarryl Head. As part of the plan, Head sent his girlfriend to the victim’s house under the pretense of getting a tattoo. She arrived with two other men who eventually ordered Smith and his cousin Khiry Clemons to the floor. Smith resisted and was shot in the head by Christopher Sutton, the triggerman. The defendants fled the scene immediately but were arrested several months later. According to the investigation, the robbery crew targeted the victim for money to pay for $400 in outstanding parking tickets belonging to a third co-defendant, Michael Smith, 23. He pled plead guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery and was sentenced to 10 years. Head and Sutton were sentenced to life plus 5 years. Jurors acquitted the girlfriend Miche Hunt.

Superior Court Judge Henry Newkirk presided over the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Eleanor Ross and Michael Garrett with assistance from Investigator Patrice Nesbitt. Detective A.C. Smith of the Atlanta Police Department lead the initial investigation.

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