DeKalb County man sentenced to life in prison for unprovoked murder of friend

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Truman Smith will spend life in prison plus five years for shooting his friend point blank in the face, killing him.

The 32-year-old was found guilty and sentenced Friday for the 2016 murder.

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston said Smith, his cousin, a friend and 50-year-old Johnnie Crawford were hanging out drinking in the parking lot of the friend’s apartment on Bent Tree Loop in Stone Mountain after work.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

At one point, Smith pulled his gun out and pointed it at Crawford, unprovoked.

Crawford had tears in his eyes, while all three men tried to calm Smith down. Smith walked away, and after it seemed as if the situation had diffused and the men believed that Smith had put his gun away, they went back to drinking.

Suddenly, Smith pulled his gun back out and shot Crawford in the face at point blank range.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Mother of 4 killed in Gwinnett County house fire
• Unvaccinated Delta employees subject to $200 monthly surcharge, CEO says
• Nirvana ‘Nevermind’ cover baby sues band, alleging child porn

Smith then left the scene. He was picked up about five days later in Missouri by troopers. Authorities found a gun used in the murder in his car.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Ashley O’Neal, with assistance from Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rod Wilkerson, DA Investigator Parks McIntosh, and Victim Advocate Maria Callava. Detective C. Tappan of the DeKalb Police Department led the initial investigation.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ actor Nicholas Brendon arrested on prescription drug charge (NCD)

©2021 Cox Media Group