Trial Begins in Champion Boxer Vernon Forrest's Murder

ATLANTA, GA — The trial of a man accused of murdering one of the most accomplished boxers in the nation began Monday in Fulton County.

According to Fulton DA Paul Howard, Charmon Sinkfield is accused in the the July 25, 2009 murder of Vernon Forrest. Sinkfield is facing two counts of murder; six counts of felony murder, armed robbery and other charges.

Howard says Forrest was robbed at gunpoint by Demario Ware at a southwest Atlanta gas station as the boxer was putting air in his tires. Ware stole Forrest’s championship ring and Rolex watch. Forrest chased Ware but lost sight of him as he escaped into a McDaniel Street apartment complex.

Forrest then encountered Sinkfield, Howard says. As he turned to walk away, Forrest was shot seven times, including five times in the back.

Ware has already been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for his role in the incident.

Jury selection was set to begin Monday. If convicted, Sinkfield could receive the death penalty.

Forrest competed from 1992 to 2008 and won the International Boxing Federation's welterweight title in 2001; held the unified welterweight titles from 2002-03; and the WBC super welterweight title twice, from 2007 to 2009.

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