In a case highlighting the consequences of betrayal and recidivism, two men have been handed down significant prison sentences following a burglary in Cherokee County, as reported by Atlanta News First. Ewell Randolph Bush Jr., 37, and William Shane Morgan, 36, were both convicted of first-degree burglary, with Bush receiving a 20-year sentence, 12 years of which are designated for imprisonment and the remaining on probation, meanwhile, Morgan is set to serve 15 years behind bars, followed by probation for the remainder of his 20-year sentence, both sentences will be served without the possibility for parole due to their status as repeat offenders.
Bush and Morgan's criminal actions date back to an incident on August 16, 2023, where they broke into a Canton home by shattering a glass window and proceeded to steal firearms, landscaping equipment, various wristwatches, and cash the homeowner was an acquaintance who had previously given Morgan employment and a place to stay, showcasing a stark violation of trust. According to the prosecution, only the firearms and landscaping tools were recovered after the duo attempted to offload some of the stolen goods. In a statement obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta, Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Damion Overstreet remarked, "One of the most shocking elements of this case is that the defendants repaid kindness with the ultimate betrayal, breaking into an acquaintance’s home to steal his possessions."
Efforts to solve the case led to Bush and Morgan's identification through a combination of investigative techniques, including fingerprint analysis, surveillance footage from a pawn shop where some of the stolen items were sold, and digital evidence discovered on the suspects' cell phones. Throughout the trial, the jury reviewed over 40 exhibits consisting of crime scene photos, pawn shop surveillance footage, and digital communications, to name a few elements presented by the prosecution.
The Superior Court Judge Shannon Wallace, who oversaw the trial, also mandated that the culprits are ordered to pay $13,200 in restitution for the damages and non-recovered stolen items, additional to their imprisonment, they are prohibited from contacting the victim or each other and banned from setting foot in Cherokee County while on probation. This sentencing not only highlights the severity of their criminal acts but underlines the community's necessity for protection from such repeat offenders, an element emphasized by District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway, as authenticated by FOX 5 Atlanta, "These repeat offenders, with prior convictions dating back more than 10 years, have shown no remorse or willingness to take responsibility for their actions, the sentences handed down this week reflect the seriousness of their actions and the importance of protecting our community."
