DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction in the case against Trillian Haile, a Stone Mountain man accused of the shooting death of teenager Dontavious Young. Jurors returned guilty verdicts on charges of Voluntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.
According to the investigation, officers found Young lying in the road with multiple gunshot wounds after responding to 911 calls about a shooting on Cherry Wood Drive. Young was pronounced dead at the hospital after being shot 13 times. Haile was found standing in front of a nearby home with two handguns, one belonging to Young.
In an interview with detectives, Haile claimed self-defense, stating that Young had attempted to rob him at gunpoint. Haile said they exchanged gunfire, and even when Young tried to run away, he continued shooting until Young was dead.
The trial was presided over by Senior Judge David Irwin, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for Haile on Monday, April 1 at 9:30 a.m. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Yolanda Lippert and Assistant District Attorney Miriam Broussard, among others.
Stone Mountain Police Department Detective Burton led the initial investigation.
The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the consequences of gun violence and the importance of thorough investigations and legal proceedings in such cases.