Men Who Shot at Atlanta Cops Sentenced

ATLANTA, GA -- The men who were convicted last week of shooting at two Atlanta police officers in Midtown received their jail sentences on Tuesday.

Derrick Newell was sentenced to 15 years to serve 12 years, with the balance on probation. Marcellus White was sentenced to 10 years to serve plus five consecutive years suspended.

On Dec. 19, 2013, Officers Robert Godwin and Stephen McKesey were working in a marked APD K9 vehicle in the area of Parkway Drive and Ponce De Leon Avenue when they heard gunfire. They saw a black Toyota Camry backing down the road firing weapons up Parkway toward North Avenue.

The officers then shouted, “Atlanta Police” and “drop your weapons.” Newell and White then fired on the officers. Both officers returned fire, and after a brief exchange, the police took the two men into custody.

The gunfire took place directly in front of a Zaxby’s restaurant.

Both Newell and White were convicted of aggravated assault on a peace officer; possession of a firearm during commission of a felony; terroristic acts; and reckless conduct.