DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston has revealed that a Stone Mountain man, Drew Brooks, aged 40, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison following his conviction for the murder of Ashley Watkins, 33. The incident occurred on May 25, 2022, with Brooks found guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter, Felony Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. The sentencing was conducted by DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Tangela M. Barrie, who also added 10 years of probation to the sentence.
Watkins was discovered with a gunshot wound in Stone Mountain, and despite being rushed to Atlanta Medical Center, she succumbed to her injuries. Investigations unveiled a deteriorating relationship between Watkins and Brooks, as she attempted to evict him from the shared residence. The fatal altercation was witnessed by a second woman living in the house, who Brooks also threatened with a gun.
Although Brooks claimed self-defense, alleging Watkins aimed a gun at him, footage contradicted his statement, showing Watkins holding her keys. The prosecution of the case involved various officials from the DeKalb County Police Department and the District Attorney's office.