A young man who committed murder at age 16 and a Wrens-area man who strangled his transgender victim both were sentenced to life in prison this week.
Augusta Circuit District Attorney Jared Williams announced the conviction Thursday of Jamarius Walker, 20. Walker was initially charged with murder in the April 2020 death of Antonio Geter, 21.
The Violent Crimes and Gang Unit, created in 2021, was able to re-indict Walker on four additional criminal street gang charges in 2022, Williams said. A jury found him guilty late Wednesday on all 10 counts.
Geter was a “hardworking Laney graduate,” the DA said.
“This verdict signifies that our community stands with the district attorney’s office in the fight against dangerous gangs,” Williams said.
Richmond County Superior Court Judge Ashley Wright sentenced Walker to life in prison plus 20 years.
According to prior reporting, Walker and other young men conspired to rob Geter after he took a ride service to buy a gun in the 2500 block of Tobacco Road area.
When the vehicle stopped around San Sebastián Court, Walker opened the car back door and shot Geter.
MORE: Al Dempsey, Columbia County Planning Commissioner chair, passes away at 78
The driver, who could legally possess a gun, shot back at the men and got away.
Monday, suspect Ronald Anthony Harris pleaded guilty to all counts in a another 2020 case scheduled for trial this week.
Harris, 44, was accused of strangling with his arms and hands a transgender woman known in the community as Scottlynn Kelly DeVore.
DeVore, a hairstylist legally known as John Scott DeVore disappeared from her Olde Town apartment wearing a white dress and blond wig, according to prior reports.
The Human Rights Campaign referred to DeVore as gender-nonconforming and likely presenting as Scottlynn Kelly DeVore when she went missing.
The Violent Crimes Unit “worked tirelessly with partner agencies” to crack the case, Williams said.
Harris tried to confuse investigators by disposing of the body in Jefferson County, a vehicle in McDuffie County and the victim’s phone in Richmond County, the DA said.
“By being specialized in violent crimes, I had the time to uncover additional evidence and prepare the best case. That preparation led to this murderer spending the rest of his life in prison,” Violent Crimes ADA Keagan Waystack said after the plea.
Superior Court Judge John Flythe sentenced Harris to life in prison plus 30 years. Harris’ wife, Margaret Elaine Harris, was previously sentenced to 20 years in confinement for concealing a death.
Susan McCord is a staff writer with The Augusta Press. Reach her at susan@theaugustapress.com
