ATLANTA — A man convicted of stabbing another to death is missing after he didn't return to his transitional center last week following a work shift.
According to the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), on Feb. 2, Melvin Barkley failed to report back to the transitional facility he's been living in on Ponce De Leon Avenue. Transitional center residents are employed in outside jobs in the community but are at the center when not working.
The GDC Fugitive Unit is following up on any leads for his recapture.
Barkley was sentenced to 30 years in prison without parole in Nov. 2023 for voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and two counts of possession of a knife during a commission of a felony. This is according to the District Attorney's Office for the Coweta Judicial Circuit.
Barkley pled guilty to killing Tyler Waters in May 2018, according to a release. Barkley and Waters had gotten into an argument during a telephone call and Waters was upset that Barkley and his fiance were living with Water's great-aunt but not paying the rent. According to the news release, Barkley then invited Waters to come to the location to discuss the issue. When Waters arrived, the two got into a physical fight.
The DA's office news release said once the fight ended, Waters got into his car and drove away. But Barkley got into his own vehicle with a knife and pursued Waters. When he caught up to Waters' car, Barkley struck the back of the vehicle. Waters then got out of his car and approached Barkley's. They got into another fight where Barkley stabbed Waters and he later died.
Barkley had a negotiated plea agreement and was not convicted of murder. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison without the possibility of parole, followed by 20 years on probation.
According to the news release from the DA's office, "resolving this case with 30 years in prison without the possibility of parole protects our community for decades from this Defendant and holds him accountable for taking the life of Mr. Waters without justification."
It is unclear at this time why Barkley was living at a transitional center after being sentenced to prison toward the end of 2023. The Carrollton Police Department said it was made aware and is not clear yet about what happened and why Barkley was at a transitional center.
11Alive reached out to the GDC and the District Attorney's Office for the Coweta Judicial Circuit for any comment and more information.
