A Columbia County jury returned a guilty verdict Friday in the brutal 2021 slaying of an inmate at Augusta State Medical Prison.
Deontae Lashun Holsey, 29, was accused of beating his cell mate, Terry Lee Bennett, to death using a hard plastic food tray after binding the man’s wrists and ankles.
After deliberating about a day, the jury late Friday found Holsey guilty of felony murder in Bennett’s death.
Columbia County Superior Court Judge Barry Fleming sentenced Holsey to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In a statement, the District Attorney’s office of the Columbia Judicial Circuit said the verdict and the jury’s service were in the interests of justice and held Holsey accountable for Bennett’s death.
DA Bobby Christine praised the Georgia Department of Corrections’ Criminal Investigations Division and Lead Special Agent Latarius Evans for their dedication.
Christine said in the statement that crime won’t be tolerated, including among criminals.
“The verdict speaks on behalf of this community, that human life is valued and criminal activity will not be tolerated in our midst… not even among those incarcerated here,” he said. “Our thoughts are with the family of Terry Lee Bennett.”
Witness testimony highlighted the number and severity of Bennett’s wounds and his lack of defensive wounds. The defense argued Holsey feared for his life and that Bennett had stripped naked and threatened to assault him.
