A Stone Mountain man has received two life sentences for the murder of his boss, as determined by a jury and on the decision of a DeKalb County judge. Yamir Paul Thomas, aged 23, was convicted on multiple charges related to the death of his manager, Donald Crenshaw, on September 4, 2023.
On March 27, 2025, Thomas was found guilty of Malice Murder, two counts of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony by the jury. Subsequently, Judge Gregory A. Adams sentenced Thomas to two life terms, plus five additional years to be served consecutively.
The incident unfolded when, on September 5, 2023, police responded to a report of a shooting at a home in Lithonia. A man, upon returning home, discovered Crenshaw deceased in his bedroom. The victim's vehicle, a silver Volvo, was also missing. Doorbell footage later revealed that Crenshaw and Thomas arrived together at the house shortly before 11:30 p.m. on September 4.
The video shows Crenshaw re-entering his vehicle around 11:35 p.m., after which Thomas was seen leaving the property with a handgun visible. Thomas returned to the house briefly before leaving again with cash visible in a wallet.
Authorities located Crenshaw’s motor vehicle the following day, parked near Thomas’s residence, with Thomas's fingerprint on the driver's side door. It was revealed that Thomas and Crenshaw had an argument at their workplace, Church’s Chicken, earlier on the day of the incident.
A subsequent investigation led to Thomas's arrest on December 11, 2023. His phone searches included queries such as “What’s the sentencing range for second degree murder?” and “Can fugitives get jobs?” During police questioning, Thomas admitted to the shooting but claimed self-defense.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jasmine Atakora, with support from Senior Assistant District Attorney Eliazette Johnson, District Attorney Investigator Tia Johnson, and Victim Advocate Christy Palmer. Detective Byars of the DeKalb County Police Department led the investigation.