Guilty Verdicts in 'Murder Kroger' Trial

ATLANTA, GA -- Two men were found guilty earlier this week in the murder of a man outside a Midtown grocery store commonly known as "Murder Kroger."

Jurors returned guilty verdicts against 26-year-old Damarius Thompson upon charges of murder, entering automobile, aggravated assault and related charges. Jurors also returned guilty verdicts upon Thompson’s co-defendant, 26-year-old Shontavious Chestnut, upon charges of entering automobile and criminal attempt to enter automobile.

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On March 10, 2015, Richey was gunned down after he tried to prevent two men from breaking into his truck at a Kroger parking lot, located on Ponce de Leon Avenue. The store has come to be known in the community as the "murder Kroger."

Richey had been working on the exterior of the store and was returning to his truck at the end of the day when he noticed men breaking into the truck from the passenger side, the DA’s Office said.

Richey confronted the thieves through the driver side window, at which point Thompson shot Richey in the chest and fled in a car being driven by Chestnut.

Surveillance camera footage of the parking lot captured a black BMW with tinted windows which was described by witnesses as the getaway vehicle. A tip from Crime Stoppers led police to the BMW, which led them to Thompson.

Thompson was arrested on March 26, while Chestnut was found in Florida on April 9.

Following their convictions, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney sentenced Thompson to life without parole plus 42 and a half years. Chestnut was sentenced to seven and a half years.

Photo Credit: Georgia Department of Corrections