Man Convicted In Craigslist Murder, Robbery Of Student

MARIETTA, GA -- A Marietta man has been convicted of killing a college student after luring the 21-year-old with a Craigslist ad announcing the sale of an Apple iPhone. A Cobb County jury on Tuesday convicted Kalynn Shiquez Ruthenberg, 24, in the 2015 shooting death of James E. Jones.

Ruthenberg, who Cobb prosecutors say is an associate of the Crips gang, was convicted of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, violation of Georgia’s street gang act, firearms possession, and robbery.

Jones was a 21-year-old junior enrolled at Clark Atlanta University when he responded to the post about the smartphone. Detectives with the Marietta Police Department later learned that Ruthenberg and two of his friends posted the ad "with the sole intention of luring someone they could rob." This ruse, the District Attorney's office added, was't the only time the trio committed this act of deadly deception.

On Feb. 9, 2015, Jones went to a home on Jamaica Cove in Marietta with plans to purchase the iPhone. However, he was confronted by the men who robbed him of his cell phone and shoes, the District Attorney's office said.

Trial testimony from the two co-defendants revealed Ruthenberg shot Jones with a .45-caliber handgun and as the student was dying, Ruthenberg told one of the two friends to take the victim's Nike shoes off his feet before shooting him again. Chief ADA Jesse Evans tried the case with ADA Drew Healy.

"This was a very sad situation where a young man needlessly lost his life," said Cobb District Attorney Vic Reynolds. "We encourage all citizens who conduct transactions based on Craigslist advertising to make sure they meet the sellers or buyers at their local police precincts."

Ruthenberg is scheduled to be sentenced at 10 a.m. Nov. 10. Marietta attorney Dennis O’Brien represents Ruthenberg, who has remained in custody since his arrest hours after the killing. Charges remain pending against the two co-defendants, Jordan James Baker, now 21, and Jonathon O’Neil Myles, now 22. Both are in custody without bond.

Photo: Kalynn Shiquez Ruthenberg. Credit: Cobb County Sheriff's Office