Donnie Forte' found guilty of murder, victims sister speaks - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports
Member Center:
It was surveillance footage that caught Donnie Forte running away from the crime scene that won the case, Senior Assistant District Attorney Don Kelly proclaimed after winning.
Unlike four of the five suspects accused of taking Reverend Blanchard Thomas' life, Donnie Forte' took his chances by going to trial and not seeking a plea deal.
The jury deliberated for less than two hours before coming back with a verdict of guilty.
"We feel very good about the jury verdict and of course we feel horrible that this ever happened in the first place," Kelly said.
Forte', 55, was sentenced to two life sentences without parole.
According to Kelly Forte is a drug addict and career criminal that spent nearly two decades behind bars for previous crimes.
"He had a horrible record one of the worst I've ever seen which is why it was a mandatory life without parole sentence" stated Kelly.
Thomas' sister addressed the court saying her brother loved the Lord and people. She said he died following God's word.
"He served the Lord. He would say, love thy neighbor and have compassion on one another. He lost his life having that love and compassion," Joan Gibson said.
Donnie Forte' sat quietly with his head down. He didn't address the court. The family sobbed quietly after the verdict was read.
Judge Rumer offered to wait to sentence Forte' so that his family could be present, he declined the offer.
Forte's attorney says they do plan to appeal the decision.
Kelly said he was happy the state is able to bring justice and some sort of closure to the family.
ALSO: Murdered Alamaba preacher tiral hangs in the balance after pre-trial motions halt proceedings
ALSO: Quintet heads to trial for murder of Alabama preacher
ALSO: Preacher murdered, police identigy persons of interest
Copyright 2013 wtvm. All rights reserved.
News Leader 9 is on the scene of a multiple car accident on 6th Avenue and 9th Street. Coroner Freeman Worley is at the scene.
More >>News Leader 9 is on the scene of a multiple car accident on 6th Avenue and 9th Street. Coroner Freeman Worley is at the scene.
More >>COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) - Copyright 2017 WTVM. All rights reserved.
More >>COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) - Copyright 2017 WTVM. All rights reserved.
More >>The Director of Phenix City Utilities is firing back at reports that the local Waste Water Treatment Plant is dumping harmful chemicals and waste into the Chattahoochee River.
More >>The Director of Phenix City Utilities is firing back at reports that the local Waste Water Treatment Plant is dumping harmful chemicals and waste into the Chattahoochee River.
More >>An american hero that served the country for three decades is being honored tomorrow. He was a firefighter during nine-eleven and saved lives as a paramedic during his career.
More >>An american hero that served the country for three decades is being honored tomorrow. He was a firefighter during nine-eleven and saved lives as a paramedic during his career.
More >>The Columbus Police Department has located a 70-year-old man that was reported missing Friday evening.
More >>The Columbus Police Department has located a 70-year-old man that was reported missing Friday evening.
More >>Police are still struggling for words to describe the attack that took place in Baxley Thursday afternoon after a mother and her daughter were assaulted at their family-owned restaurant.
More >>Police are still struggling for words to describe the attack that took place in Baxley Thursday afternoon after a mother and her daughter were assaulted at their family-owned restaurant.
More >>Tyler Newman's Facebook post on June 20 has gone viral, and he begins by saying, "I have never really witnessed sexual harassment and/or 'rape culture' until today with Smoky Crossing Apartments."
More >>Tyler Newman's Facebook post on June 20 has gone viral, and he begins by saying, "I have never really witnessed sexual harassment and/or 'rape culture' until today with Smoky Crossing Apartments."
More >>You hear the phrase 'no means no' thrown around when it comes to a woman's ability to protect herself from unwanted sexual advances, but in the state of North Carolina - no doesn't always mean no.
More >>You hear the phrase 'no means no' thrown around when it comes to a woman's ability to protect herself from unwanted sexual advances, but in the state of North Carolina - no doesn't always mean no.
More >>A Utica man killed this huge rattlesnake.
More >>A Utica man killed this huge rattlesnake.
More >>The mother told police she left the baby unattended for "a couple of minutes." Police said it was 18 minutes.
More >>The mother told police she left the baby unattended for "a couple of minutes." Police said it was 18 minutes.
More >> |  1909 Wynnton Road
Columbus, GA 31906 (706) 494-5400
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2017 Raycom Media. All Rights Reserved. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service, and Ad Choices.
|
