Cobb Gang Murder Results In Life Without Parole + 65 Years

MARIETTA, GA -- A member of the Good Product Team gang has convicted of murder and Georgia street gang act violations and sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus 65 consecutive years. On Monday, a Cobb jury convicted Laronte Jamal Nelms, a/k/a Cali, of all charges in the case, which stemmed from a shooting on May 21, 2014 at Pat Mell and Favor Roads. About 9:30 that evening, an argument that started at a Food Mart store was carried to a nearby apartment complex, where Nelms shot Trinity Darnell Hardnett, 35, four times with a handgun. Hardnett died of his injuries one month later.

GPT, a southeastern criminal street gang that originated in Cobb County, has ties to the national gang known as PIRU. Witnesses testified the area where the murder occurred is known GPT territory. Nelms and other GPT associates were at the store and believed Hardnett, who was unarmed and had no gang affiliation, had shown disrespect to a GPT associate at the store, to which Nelms reacted with rage. Gang experts testified that Nelms’ actions were consistent with the expectations of gangs like GPT.

Witnesses and surveillance video helped police identify Nelms, now 27, as the shooter.

After a week-long trial, jurors deliberated for only about an hour on Monday before convicting Nelms of malice and felony murder, aggravated assault, 10 counts of violating the street gang terrorism and prevention act, and a firearms charge.

Shortly after the verdict, Cobb Superior Court Chief Judge C. LaTain Kell sentenced Nelms as a recidivist to serve life in prison without parole, plus 65 years. Nelms has prior felony drug convictions as well as additional riot in a penal institution charges stemming from an incident that occurred while he was awaiting trial in this case.

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