An Augusta man facing a jury this week for killing a two-year-old has entered a guilty plea.
District Attorney Jared Williams said Marquie Gunter, 32, pleaded guilty to two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault family violence, criminal damage to property and possession of a firearm Wednesday.
The victim’s mother testified Tuesday Gunter had demanded use of her mini van to go play video games, despite having their 10-day-old newborn son in the house. When she refused, he shot up the van then kicked in her front door.
While she was on the phone with 911, Gunter fired another shot toward her location. It ricocheted off the concrete floor and struck JaZiah Arianna Yuletta Pollard in the head, killing the toddler.
“April 26, 2019, was the last time this mother heard her daughter’s laugh, watched her daughter dance or got to see her beautiful smile. All because the defendant wanted to go play video games,” Assistant District Attorney Keagan Waystack said in her opening statement.
Gunter entered the plea Wednesday after five defense witnesses testified against him. He waived his appellate rights and accepted his fate, Williams said.
Chief Richmond County Superior Court Judge Daniel J. Craig sentenced Gunter to life in prison plus 10 years.
“The victim’s mother was able to see this case come to its ultimate end, with the killer behind bars for life,” Williams said.
Gunter was a convicted felon and sex offender who met the victim’s mother a few days after his last release from prison in 2017.
The trial was handled “expertly” by Waystack, of the DA’s Violent Crimes and Gang Unit, he said in a statement. Waystack was assisted by ADA Will Dasher and DA Investigators Hegg, Brown and Kitchens; Legal Assistant Patsy Smith provided office support and Victim Advocate Courtney Menard served the child’s family. Special thanks go to the RCSO for its quick response and thorough investigation, Williams said.
“This is a heart-wrenching case. I am thankful for the strong people who banded together to ensure the man responsible will never harm another innocent soul,” Williams said.
