An Augusta couple faces life in prison after a Richmond County jury found them guilty Friday in the shooting death of Khalid Ravenell.
The jury deliberated barely three hours before finding Shakeyla Faulks, 31, guilty of malice murder, felony murder and aggravated assault in Ravenell’s Jan. 5, 2021, death at the Rocky Creek apartment complex off Stevens Creek Road.
Superior Court Judge Jesse Stone said he will sentence the defendants within 30 days.
The jury found Faulks’ companion, Kentwain Moody, guilty of felony murder for his role in the killing.
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According to Chief Assistant District Attorney Kevin Davis, Faulks went to the apartment where Ravenell, the father of her two young daughters, was with them, engaged him and others in a fight, then shot him in the chest.
“You can’t win a murder trial,” said Davis, getting teary as he spoke of the girls’ future without either parent.
“We have enough fathers who don’t want to be there,” he said.
Jurors heard testimony from witnesses who said during the incident Faulks waved a gun at them, slapped one in the face and stated she was going to kill Ravenell, 26.
Defense attorney Tierra Williams presented a different picture, attempting to show Faulks was defending herself. Ravenell had been in a rush that evening because he had plans and Faulks’ belongings were strewn around the apartment, indicating Ravenell was the aggressor, she said in closing arguments.
“She did not mean to kill him that night,” Williams said.
During the trial, Davis filed a motion to recuse Stone from hearing the case for stating “90% of this is leading” and “you need to object” to defense counsel during a bench conference with lawyers while the jury was seated.
