DeKalb County, GA — A jury has convicted a man accused of murdering his friend during a party in Stone Mountain.

Truman Smith, 32, of Zebulon, GA was convicted of felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for shooting 50-year-old Johnnie Crawford.

“The fatal incident occurred on September 15, 2016,” the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office said. “Defendant Smith, his cousin, a friend, and the victim were hanging out and drinking in the parking lot of the friend’s apartment on Bent Tree Loop in Stone Mountain after work. The four friends had spent time together on multiple occasions, drinking and hanging out.

“On the evening of the incident, Smith pulled his gun out and pointed it at Crawford, unprovoked. Smith was the only man armed. Crawford had tears in his eyes, while all three men asked Smith what was going on and the cousin and friend tried to calm Smith down. Smith walked away, and after it seemed as if the situation had diffused and the men believed that Smith had put his gun away, they went back to drinking. Suddenly, Smith pulled his gun back out and shot Crawford in the face at point blank range.”

He was later arrested in Texas County, Mo.

“Following his conviction, Defendant Smith was sentenced to life in prison plus five years by DeKalb Superior Court Judge Stacey K. Hydrick,” the District Attorney’s Office said. “The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Ashley O’Neal, with assistance from Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rod Wilkerson, DA Investigator Parks McIntosh, and Victim Advocate Maria Callava. Detective C. Tappan of the DeKalb Police Department led the initial investigation.”

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