DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston has announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against an Atlanta man accused of shooting and killing another man outside a rooming house.
On Thursday, jurors found Sincere Rush, 22, guilty on charges of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. The charges stem from the death of Marcus Bradford, 51, on November 28, 2022.
According to the investigation, around 10 p.m., officers with the DeKalb County Police Department responded to a report of a person shot at a home in the 3300 block of Clifton Church Road. Upon arrival, they found Bradford on the ground in the carport with a gunshot wound to his torso. Defendant Rush was also present at the scene.
Investigators determined that the homeowner did not reside on the property but rented each of the five bedrooms to separate tenants. Bradford’s girlfriend was one of these renters. She explained to police that she and Bradford were sitting in a car in the carport eating pizza when Defendant Rush confronted them, saying “y’all know I sleep right here, right?”
Bradford exited the car to talk to Defendant Rush and explained that he and his girlfriend were not being loud. Despite this explanation, Defendant Rush shot him.
Defendant Rush called 911 and claimed Bradford had approached him aggressively and that he shot Bradford in self-defense. However, surveillance video from the carport captured both audio and video footage showing Defendant Rush approaching with a gun while Bradford was unarmed during their exchange.
DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie presided over the trial and has scheduled a sentencing hearing for Defendant Rush on July 10.
The case was assigned to the Homicide and Gangs Unit and prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Tauri Thomas with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Emily Donkervoet. Additional support came from District Attorney Investigator Christopher Hollowood and Supervising Victim Advocate Ikwo Nyong. Detectives Smith and Wright from DeKalb County Police Department led the initial investigation.
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