On September 25, 2024, a Jeff Davis County jury found Daimon Smith, 20, and Jermon Rountree, 19, of Hazlehurst, Georgia, guilty of Felony Murder. The charges also included two counts of Aggravated Assault, two counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and five counts of Violation of Street Gang and Terrorism Prevention Act. Both defendants were acquitted on one count of Violation of Street Gang and Terrorism Prevention Act.
Evidence presented at the trial indicated that Smith and Rountree were associated with a criminal street gang in Hazlehurst known as Money Over Banging (MOB). This gang is described as a hybrid street gang composed mainly of Rollin’ 60’s Crips but also includes members from Gangster Disciples or Bloods. On October 14, 2022, Malik McRae, 18, was at a friend's residence with other teenagers when Smith, Rountree, and other MOB members arrived to confront McRae's friend about a social media post. The confrontation escalated when an occupant retrieved a gun and fired into the air. Smith then obtained a handgun from another gang member and fired towards several teenagers running back to the residence. McRae was shot and killed during this incident; another teenager was also shot.
District Attorney Keith Higgins stated: “Violent criminal street gangs are the greatest threat to the safety of everyone who lives, works, and raises a family in our community. The District Attorney’s Office is committed to do everything we can to combat these gangs and hold their members fully responsible for the crimes they commit.”
Sentencing for Smith and Rountree will be scheduled at a later date. They face up to life imprisonment without parole plus an additional 90 years in prison.
For further inquiries, members of the media may contact the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office at 912-554-7200.