CAR OWNER GUILTY OF MURDER IN REPO MAN CASE

Justin Moore Sentenced to Life Plus 21 in Ambush of Two Men Attempting to Repossess His Ford Mustang

Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the conviction of 30-year-old Justin Moore on charges stemming from the November 2009 shooting of two men who were attempting to take possession of the defendant’s car for non-payment. The Fairburn resident was found guilty of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, fleeing and attempting to elude authorities and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

At 1:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2009, Moore woke up to find 27-year-old Brandon Thomas and Willie Thackston hooking up his 2004 Ford Mustang to their tow truck. The defendant shot at them three times, gave chase in a van and fired on Thomas and Thackston again with a sawed-off shotgun when the van collided with the tow truck. Thomas, who was in the passenger seat, was killed. Thackston, now 38-years-old, survived gunshot wounds to his abdomen and leg.

The defendant sped off in the Mustang after ordering Thackston to release it from the truck. He abandoned the car after leading police on a chase that reached speeds of 120 miles-per-hour on I-85 north. The car was later found in Clayton County; Moore was arrested in Dekalb County five days later on November 17, 2009.

Moore was sentenced to life in prison, plus 21 years by presiding Fulton County Superior Court Judge John Goger. The case was prosecuted by Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney Clint Rucker and ADA Todd Ashley. Investigations were conducted by Fulton County Police Detective J. Cheeks and DA Investigator G.G. Carawan. District Attorney Howard says, “No material possession is worth the life of a human being. I hope this case causes anyone who is tempted to act as this defendant did to stop and consider the consequences.”

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