ATLANTA — Two men convicted of killing a man walking near the BeltLine will spend life in prison without parole.
A jury found Demetrice Ross and Brandon Williams guilty Wednesday.
Prosecutors argued they killed Tom, 60, in February 2022 during an attempt to rob him as he walked home from a night out with friends in Inman Park.
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Arnold’s brother-in-law, Ronald Gainor, spoke on behalf of his family after the trial.
“It’s really been tough on my wife,” Gainor said. “There has not been a day that’s gone by that she hasn’t thought about this.”
Before sentencing the men, Judge Craig Schwall, Sr. told the courtroom: “Cruel and evil. That’s what we have in this case.”
“Your repugnant and depraved conduct has earned you the certainty that each of you will perish in prison, and that is my goal,” Schwall told the men.
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Before deputies led the men away in handcuffs, they listened to Arnold’s family describe him as a loving uncle who enjoyed travel, whitewater rafting.
They said he volunteered by fostering dogs.
The judge also gave the defendants’ mothers a chance to speak.
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“I believe in my heart, with my whole heart, with my whole heart, with my whole heart, with my whole heart, with my whole heart, with my whole heart, my son Demetrice Ross is innocent,” said Valerie Ross.
She told jurors she did not think they took enough time to deliberate and vowed to appeal.
Outside the courthouse, Arnold’s family said they can consider closure once appeals are over.
“I imagine when we go home, we’ll have a few ups and downs before it settles in,” Gainor said.
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