Man Sentenced to Life for Fatally Shooting His Friend in the Back

Appellate Courts
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District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr. | Cobb county, GA

Cobb District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr. announced that Kehari Yarber, 26, has been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the murder of his friend, Blake Porter. Yarber was found guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Superior Court Judge Robert D. Leonard II imposed the sentence, along with an additional five years to be served consecutively.

According to the investigation, on October 31, 2020, Cobb County Police discovered Blake Porter, 20, deceased from multiple gunshot wounds to the back in a cut-through between two apartment complexes. Surveillance footage from nearby locations captured the moments leading to Porter's death, showing him walking with an unknown male, later identified as Yarber. The footage revealed Yarber firing two shots at Porter before fleeing the scene.

Family members described Yarber as a close friend of Porter's, with Porter often referring to him as his "twin." Yarber was apprehended in Clayton County on December 15, 2020, following a comprehensive investigation that included forensic video analysis, witness testimony, and social media records. A 12-person jury found Yarber guilty on March 12, 2024, leading to his sentencing of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr. expressed gratitude for the dedication of law enforcement and the prosecutors in securing justice for Blake Porter and his loved ones, emphasizing the office's commitment to holding perpetrators of violence accountable.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Stephanie Green and Erman Tanjuatco on behalf of the state, while the defendant was represented by Katie Elwart.

For further information, the Cobb DA Communications can be contacted at 770-528-3080.