A Decatur man has been handed a life sentence with an additional five years following a deadly incident at an apartment complex. Antonio Lee, aged 23, was found guilty of several charges, including malice murder, felony murder, and other counts linked to a fatal attempted armed robbery that occurred back in January 2020.
According to the Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney, the conviction is related to the tragic death of 31-year-old Charles Lewis, who was shot and killed in what prosecutors say was an attempted robbery. On January 28, 2020, at around 10:40 a.m., DeKalb County Police responded to a 911 call about a shooting at Lewis's apartment on Wesley Club Drive. They found Lewis with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital but unfortunately did not survive.
Investigators at the scene found several shell casings in the apartment complex's stairwell and also uncovered a rose gold iPhone along a nearby path. Police were able to trace this phone back to defendant Lee. His version of events, where he stated he was going to buy marijuana from Lewis and ran after hearing gunshots, dropped in credibility when video evidence suggested otherwise. Reports indicate that Lee had arrived with Vincent Smith and another unidentified individual at the victim's apartment. After the shooting, Lee was promptly returned to his home by the other men involved.
After the verdict, Senior Judge Daniel M. Coursey, Jr. immediately sentenced Lee to life in prison. Vincent Jamal Smith, 24, had already pleaded guilty to charges including voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with 20 years to be served in custody. The case was part of a plea deal and was managed by the Homicide and Gangs Unit.
The prosecution effort was spearheaded by Senior Assistant District Attorney Helen Pott, who worked alongside Assistant District Attorney Eliazette Johnson. Key investigative work was contributed by District Attorney Investigator Curtis Averhart and Victim Advocate Kaysha Albritton, while DeKalb County Police Department Det. Wright led the initial investigation.
