De’Marquise Elkins, who stood accused of shooting and killing an infant after attempting to rob his mother, was found guilty Friday. Jurors took only two hours to reach a verdict.
Elkins’ mother, Karimah, was also found guilty of tampering with evidence, but not guilty of lying to police. Elkins, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, was found guilty on all counts, including malice murder and felony murder. Reports from the courtroom said he showed no emotion as the verdict was read.
The 18-year-old stood trial in Cobb County for the crime committed in Brunswick, because the crime generated such great publicity. Now convicted, Elkins faces the possibility of life in prison for the March 21 murder of 13-month-old Antonio Santiago. He reportedly shot the boy right between the eyes.
Police say the motive for Elkins’ shooting was simply that his mother, Sherry West, did not produce cash immediately when she was held up while returning with the child from the post office. West told investigators that a gunman demanded cash and shot her baby in the face after she told him she had none.
“He kept asking, and I just said `I don’t have it,’” West told The Associated Press the day after the slaying. “And he said, `Do you want me to kill your baby?’ And I said, `No, don’t kill my baby!’”
West was shot in the leg, and another bullet reportedly grazed her ear. Witnesses called 911 and rushed to her aid. None saw the shooting, but they watched as West tried to revive her son using CPR.
Police say Elkins had an accomplice, 15-year-old Dominique Lang, who has told investigators Elkins fired the gun. Lang also is charged with murder but will be tried later.
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