ATLANTA — Two suspects accused in the 2020 killing of Secoriea Turner at a Wendy’s in Southwest Atlanta faced a judge Wednesday.
Julian Conley, accused of firing the fatal shot, declined the state’s plea deal, setting his trial to begin Monday. His co-defendant, Jerrion McKinney, accepted a plea deal of 40 years with 20 to serve, Channel 2’s Tyisha Fernandes reported.
Secoriea’s mother, Charmaine Turner, was visibly heartbroken in court. She spoke during the plea hearing, expressing her ongoing grief over her daughter’s death.
“This tragedy has left a burning scar on my entire being,” she said.
The case has taken five years to reach this point due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple appeals related to gang charges, which reached the Supreme Court.
Secoriea was 8 years old when she was killed during a protest at the Wendy’s, which had become a focal point following the police shooting of Rayshard Brooks.
McKinney pleaded guilty to stopping the car Secoriea was in while relatives were trying to get her to a hospital. He spoke in court Wednesday.
“I just want to let you know I’m not a menace to society,” he said. “I’m not in no gang. I feel sorry for Secoriea Turner, but I did not hurt anyone that day.”
He mother said he deserved more prison time.
“He knows exactly what went on,” she said. “It just shows how heartless he is, because he’s not being truthful about it.”
Police called Conley a Bloods street gang member. Jury selection for his trial begins Monday.
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