Wednesday, June 12, 2024–8:06 a.m.
-Adam Carey, Rome News-Tribune-
This story is possible because of a news-sharing agreement with the Rome News-Tribune. More information can be found at northwestgeorgianews.com
Three people pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges Tuesday for the May 2022 shooting of Derricus Smith on Perkins Street in North Rome.
“My brother is gone because of words and perhaps pride,” Smith’s sister LaTerica Finley said. “Derricus was my rock and my saving grace. I was strong for him and he was strong for me.”
Finley said she felt anger that no one expressed remorse for her brother’s death in the two years since his killing. She said her brother’s shooters actually took pictures of themselves at the site of Smith’s death and bragged to people about what they had done.
However, Finley then softened her tone, stating, “I know my family isn’t the only one suffering today.”
During a status hearing before Floyd County Superior Court Chief Judge John “Jack” Niedrach, the three men involved pleaded guilty to their part in the shooting.
Corey Lashun Chatman Jr., 19, and Justin Antonio Glynn, 21, pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and were sentenced to 25 years, to serve six in prison. Malachai Alexander Williams, 21, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and was sentenced to 15 years, to serve six in prison.
“We’re in the middle of an epidemic of people bringing guns to a fistfight,” said Floyd County Assistant District Attorney Emily Johnson. “And although lots of people saw who shot Smith, witnesses were very uncooperative with law enforcement.”
According to Johnson, Smith and Marquivias Nicholson had an altercation after Nicholson initially tried to defuse a situation involving Smith. Around that time, prosecutors said, Chatman, Glynn and Williams arrived. At that time, Smith was on top of Nicolson, punching him.
At this point, a shot rang out and Smith collapsed with a bullet in his head. He died in the street. Court filings show that Glynn — who is currently serving a prison sentence on robbery and gang charges at the Wheeler Correctional Facility in South Georgia — pointed to Chatman as the shooter.
When police arrived, they found Smith fatally shot in the head near 307 Perkins St. Smith lived on nearby Nelm Street. Witnesses reported that a black Dodge Challenger with several passengers was seen leaving the area.
Williams, Chatman, Glynn and Nicholson were initially facing murder and gang activity charges. The charges against Nicolson were dropped wholesale in an updated 2024 indictment. The gang charges were dropped for the remaining three men after evidence revealed that the shooting was the result of an argument and not a coordinated attack.
Each of the young men previously pleaded guilty to other gang and drug charges stemming from a number of crimes, primarily in the North Rome area where they lived while operating under the Real Northside Babies flag.
“This desire for a reputation plus the proliferation of guns is a recipe for disaster,” Judge Niedrach said.