ATLANTA -- The murder trial against Javaris Crittenton has come to an end as the former NBA and Georgia Tech player accepted a plea deal Thursday morning. He will serve at least 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter.
Crittenton, 27, was being tried for the shooting death of a woman four years ago. He and co-defendant Douglas Gamble, 29, are cousins. They were both charged with murder, felony murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and participation in criminal street gang activity.
According to the Fulton County District Attorney's office, on August 19, 2011, a gunman opened fire on a group of people from the backseat of a dark SUV. Julian Jones was struck multiple times and later died at Grady Memorial Hospital. The shots were meant for the man walking with her.
Investigators say that shooting was the latest in a series of revenge attacks. Five days earlier, a gunman fired shots at Trontavious Stephens from the back of a Porsche. He wasn't hit. Police believe both shootings were gang-related in retaliation for the earlier armed robbery of Javaris Crittenton. His defense attorney said the former Georgia Tech and L.A. Lakers player isn't guilty, and the charges are based on faulty eyewitness testimony.
In August 2011, Crittenton waived extradition after he was arrested in L.A. One month later, he was released on $230,000 bond. In January 2014, he was among more than a dozen people arrested in a cocaine trafficking ring.
