Man Who Claimed Self Defense Convicted of Murder

A 39-year-old man who claimed self defense in the killing of another man in southwest Atlanta in early 2013 has been convicted for murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by a convicted.

On Dec. 31, 2012, Ronnie “Bo” Clay, allegedly high and drunk, pointed a firearm at 18-year-old Jared Billings several times inside a home on Epworth Steet, said the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, Billings eventually retrieved a knife from the kitchen and forced Clay to leave.

The next day, tensions between the two had not eased and they were found outside the house arguing with one another. Prosecutors said that according to witness testimony, Clay pulled out a gun and shot Billings once in the chest, and fired three more shots as the man fled,

Clay was arrested by police, but claimed he had killed the man in self defense because Billings was trying to rob him at knifepoint.

Following his conviction, Clay was immediately sentenced to life in prison plus ten years.