A Richmond County jury found Tony Burton guilty of the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter in the 2020 homicide of Derrell Little at the Augusta Mall.
The jury deliberated about six hours Friday, at one point claiming to be deadlocked, before rendering a verdict in the three-day trial.
Chief Superior Court Judge Daniel J. Craig sentenced Burton to 20 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter plus five years for possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Craig ordered Burton to pay the mall store Hollister Co., through which video showed Burton chasing Little with a gun, restitution of $3,000 for damage he caused.
Craig also ordered Burton, now 40, to pay a $100,000 fine within 12 months of his release from prison.
The incident also left a sales associate at a jewelry kiosk with a non-fatal gunshot wound. The jury found Burton not guilty of aggravated assault in that shooting.
Burton testified on his own behalf, claiming he was “scared for my life” after being jumped by Little and others at the mall.
During the altercation, Burton grabbed Little’s gun from his waistband and used it to chase him through Hollister then shot him three times, he testified.
“I didn’t know if both of them had (a gun),” he said.
Burton was handcuffed at the scene by mall security. He’s been in jail without bond on murder charges since the Oct. 3, 2020, incident.
In recorded jail phone calls Burton told his brother he said “what’s up” to Little and Little punched him.
“If you’re going to get me, I’m going to get you first,” Burton said. “I’m glad I did it before he did it.”
The trial saw Burton’s brother, Rodney Burton, arrested after he disappeared when it was time for him to testify.
Assistant District Attorney Randi Guillory asked Craig for the maximum sentence of 20 years for voluntary manslaughter. He has a history of misdemeanor charges for marijuana possession, obstruction and theft by receiving, she said. He has a recent charge of possessing a shank at the jail, she said.
Burton’s attorney Tiera Williams noted the mall incident was Burton’s first felony.
