2 Columbus sisters accused of killing teen plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Two sisters are pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the killing of a 17-year-old girl at a Columbus park last year.

Markayla Marshall was shot to death at Primus King Park off Staunton Drive last March. Jury selection wrapped up Monday, Feb. 6.

Ceonna and Eurica Turpin both pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of aggravated assault. The Turpin’s both received sentences of over 15 years.

Back in March of last year, officials say Marshall pepper sprayed Ceonna Turpin.

That’s when police say Ceonna pulled a handgun out of her pocket and started firing shots. “Shoot Ci-Ci shoot,” is what police testify 20-year-old Eurica Turpin told her younger sister before Marshall was shot and killed.

Before the trial could begin both Turpin sisters entered a plea bargain, pleading to the three charges.

Jakyah Wright, a friend of Markayla, says the Turpins’ pleading guilty felt like partial justice.

“And it felt a little unfair because they can you know still call home and you know talk to their family but we can’t never see markable again we only have memories to live by,” said Wright.

Assistant District Attorney Don Kelly says he is happy with the outcome of the plea and happy to be able to provide closure for the families affected by this tragedy.

“‘Because when we go through a trial that there’s not necessarily even closure at the end of a verdict because then we go through appeals process and we have cases that sometimes are reversed and returned and we have to retry them years after the fact so when we can get this kind of finality that’s very important for the families right,” said Kelly.

The sisters apologized to the family, asking for forgiveness. Tyyona Marshall, a family member of Markayla, says hearing them plead guilty feels bittersweet, but they don’t believe the apologies.

“I feel like they had no remorse like even though I know they said they were sorry in the courtroom today but I still feel like they had no remorse if you can get on live afterwards after you say you did self-defense then it should be, you would have remorse but she had no remorse you got on live and told everybody that you did it and said you would do it again if you could right,” said Tyyona.

According to officials, Marshall pepper sprayed Ceonna Turpin. That’s when police say Ceonna pulled a handgun, firing shots.

‘Shoot Ci-Ci shoot’, is what police testify 20-year-old Eurica Turpin told her younger sister before Marshall was shot and killed.

Ceonna Turpin will be in her forties when she gets out and her sister Eurica will be in her thirties.

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