Tuesday, May 7, 2024–9:00 a.m.
-Adam Carey, Rome News-Tribune-
This story is possible because of a news-sharing agreement with the Rome News-Tribune. More information can be found at northwestgeorgianews.com
Three teens charged in a 2022 North Rome shooting death will each be tried separately.
Justin Antonio Glynn, Malachai Alexander Williams, and Corey Lashun Chatman Jr. are all facing charges in the shooting death of Derricus Smith, who was found shot in the head on Perkins Street early in the morning of May 21, 2022, after a brawl.
The three teens were arrested in June 2022, along with others, on drug and weapons charges. They were later charged with the killing, in August 2022.
However, their attorneys requested for each of the teens to be tried separately, since two of the three have pointed to their other co-defendants as the shooter.
Court filings show that Glynn — who is currently serving a prison sentence on robbery and gang charges at the Wheeler Correctional Facility in South Georgia — pointed to Chatman as the shooter.
While that testimony cannot be used against Glynn in a trial, a court filing states that Glynn said he was nearby at 1050 Gordon Ave. and knew the shooter was Chatman because of the gun Chatman had, and because Chatman had left the home to go to Perkins Street where the shooting occurred. Nicholson has also offered testimony regarding the incident, according to court filings.
A trial for Glynn, who police suspect was the actual triggerman, is scheduled for June 3.
A new indictment in the case, for felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, was filed on April 5.
During a pre-trial meeting Monday morning, Floyd County Superior Court Chief Judge John “Jack” Niedrach agreed to the request by defense attorneys to separate the cases.
The prosecution is seeking to introduce videos posted to Williams’ Instagram page as evidence. During the meeting attorney Chris Twyman, representing Williams, also requested that Judge Niedrach not allow the videos to be presented.
The two videos ostensibly show Williams smoking marijuana, flashing cash and waving a pistol around while rap lyrics play in the background.
Twyman argued that the video is prejudicial and has no relevance to the case. He also said that it’s not apparent who wrote the lyrics, and that Williams could not actually say the lyrics while smoking a marijuana cigar.
Floyd County Assistant District Attorney Emily Johnson requested that Niedrach allow the two videos, stating the lyrics reference a killing and were posted to William’s social media account.
“This will be my first-ever decision on whether to exclude a rap video,” Judge Niedrach said. He did not issue a ruling in the Monday hearing.
While the teens are no longer facing gang charges in this case, prosecutors say the incident kicked off a series of other crimes they suspect were committed by the three.
“The killing of Smith, this case, was catalyst for the crime spree,” Johnson said. “This case jump-started the Real Northside Babies.”
Each of the teens have pleaded guilty to other gang and drug charges stemming from a number of crimes, primarily in the North Rome area where they lived while operating under the Real Northside Babies flag.
However, gang charges were dropped in this case after it appeared the incident was the result of a fight, prosecutors said, but not a coordinated gang-related attack.
