A North Carolina man has been handed a life sentence following his conviction on multiple charges including Malice Murder and Felony Murder for the killing of his roommate. The Dekalb County District Attorney's Office announced the jury verdict against Cedric Collins, 25, of Greensboro, for the death of 35-year-old James Broadnax. On July 18, 2024, after trial proceedings in Dekalb County Superior Court, Collins was found guilty of the charges, alongside Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.
The tragic events leading to Broadnax's death unfolded on the evening of October 20, 2023, when multiple 911 calls reported a person shot in the vicinity of a burgundy Dodge Charger in the 3100 block of Westwood Drive. DeKalb County Police discovered Broadnax inside the vehicle, which was pocked with bullet holes and still running upon their arrival. Despite an immediate response, Broadnax, who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a house shared on Westwood Drive, Collins lived alongside Broadnax and two other men, all of whom were co-workers at an appliance delivery company. An altercation between Collins and Broadnax preceded the shooting, with Collins leaving in one of the company’s box trucks, followed by Broadnax driving off in his car. Later that evening, Collins returned to the scene in the truck and was apprehended by police officers.
Collins claimed self-defense in the face of what he described as Broadnax following him, a claim made during the police interview. He admitted to stopping the truck and confronting Broadnax before firing the gun, which he had left in the truck following the incident. Notably, it was revealed that the gun held a maximum of 16 bullets – all of which were discharged during the shooting, matching the casings found at the scene. No weapon was found with Broadnax nor in his vehicle. Senior Judge Daniel Coursey sentenced Collins to a life in prison, plus five years, bringing some semblance of closure to a case marked by a senseless loss of life.
The prosecution, led by Senior Assistant District Attorney Kara Roberts, with support from Assistant District Attorney Connor Payne and District Attorney Investigator J.B. Williams, built their case on evidence analysis and witness testimony. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the gun used in the crime and the bullet casings matched, confirming it as the murder weapon. The initial investigation was conducted by Det. C. Williams of the DeKalb County Police Department. With this verdict, the legal proceedings for a case that shocked the Tucker community have reached their conclusion.
