DeKalb Gang Banger Gets Life in Prison

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A DeKalb County man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after pleading guilty to killing two people, including a women he and fellow defendants had rushed to protect earlier, and setting off a violent chain of events which led to the death of a 9-month-old child.

Oslusha Smith, a professed member of the Bloods street gang, was given life plus 40 years by DeKalb Superior Court Judge Gail Flake after he pleaded guilty to the murders of Michael Phillips and Alexis Malone, the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.

According to prosecutors, Smith and other Bloods came to the aid of Malone, who had gotten into a fight with another woman at a Stone Mountain apartment complex on May 3, 2014. The situation escalated to the point where several gang members opened fire, killing unarmed bystander Phillips.

Several days later, Smith became worried that Malone would speak to police about the incident, so he lured the 17-year-old girl to a wooded area and killed her with a rock, the DA’s Office said.

“This senseless and reckless act of violence ended with the loss of two lives,” said District Attorney Robert James. “This sentence sends a loud message that gangs are not welcome here in DeKalb County.”

The string of killings blamed on the gang violence includes a May home breakin in which 9-month-old Kendarius Edwards was killed and three women were injured, Patch earlier reported. Police said the gunmen hunted them down before opening fire.

According to police, the baby was shot three to four times at point-blank range, says WGCL TV. The three women sent to the hospital included the boy’s mother and grandmother. Police suspect the attack was retaliation for Malone’s murder.

Smith pled guilty to various felony charges including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and violation of the street gang terrorism and prevention act, the DA’s Office said. Co-defendants Kemontay Cullins and Kayla Dixon will go on trial for their alleged participation in the killings on June 22.