An Augusta woman who lured a man to her home to be robbed, a victim who was later fatally shot, pleaded guilty Tuesday, May 31, to a reduced charge of attempted armed robbery.
Samantha T. Griffin, 31, plead guilty in connection with the Sept. 22, 2015, slaying of 27-year-old Cordeldrick L. Brooks. Griffin’s former boyfriend and another man are serving prison terms of life for Brooks’ murder.
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Tuesday in Richmond County Superior Court, Assistant District Attorney Ryne Cox said he agreed to dismiss charges including murder and kidnapping against Griffin. She admitted she lured Brooks to her apartment knowing the plan was for Kameron Reese and Christopher Berry to rob the victim at gunpoint, but she wasn’t in the vehicle when Reese and Berry forced Brooks to drive to an ATM.
Brooks crashed the vehicle and ran from the vehicle to try to escape, but he was shot twice and died on Lumpkin Road.
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Griffin’s only prior before Brooks’ death was a 2013 shoplifting, and she hasn’t been charged with even a traffic offense since she was granted bond back in 2015. She had no idea how far Reese and Berry would go in trying to rob Brooks, defense attorney Sean Gamble said.
Judge Amanda Heath accepted the plea negotiation for a prison term of five to 10 years with the remainder of 20 years on probation. She sentenced Griffin to six years in prison, followed by 14 years on probation. She granted to the defense’s request to sentence Griffin under the First Offender Act.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.
