“Ronald Harris Pleads Guilty to Murder of Transgender Woman, Scottlynn DeVore, in Augusta, GA”

– Augusta murder suspects convicted life sentences
– Augusta murder suspects receive life sentences.

Accident – death – Obituary News : Augusta Murder Suspects Convicted in Back-to-Back Trials

The Augusta District Attorney’s Office recently announced the convictions of two murder suspects in separate trials. These convictions bring justice to the victims and their families, while also highlighting the importance of addressing violence in the community.

The first suspect, Ronald Harris, pleaded guilty on Monday to the murder of a transgender woman. The victim, legally identified as John Scott DeVore but known as Scottlynn DeVore in her community, was tragically killed on March 12, 2020. Harris confessed to waiting for DeVore outside her apartment and strangling her. He then used her car to dump her body along a state highway and disposed of the vehicle and his phone in different locations.

Following DeVore’s disappearance, investigators discovered footage from her security system showing a man and woman rifling through her belongings inside her apartment. This evidence further linked Harris to the crime. In court, Harris pleaded guilty to the full indictment, which included charges of malice murder, felony murder, burglary in the first degree, and concealing the death of another.

Judge Ashley Wright sentenced Harris to life in prison, plus an additional 30 years, to be served concurrently. Harris’s wife, Margaret Elaine Harris, had previously pleaded guilty to burglary and concealing the death of another in connection to the case. She received a sentence of 30 years in prison, with the first 20 years to be served in confinement.

The second conviction came in the trial of Jamarius Walker, a 20-year-old resident of Augusta. Walker was found guilty for the 2020 murder of Antonio Geter, a 21-year-old Laney High School graduate. Geter was fatally shot on April 15, 2020, after arranging to meet someone to buy a gun.

According to witnesses, Walker confronted Geter and demanded his belongings before shooting him. Geter later succumbed to his injuries at Eisenhower Hospital. Initially indicted for murder in 2020, Walker faced additional charges after the Violent Crimes and Gang Unit established a connection between the murder and gang activity. The case was re-indicted, and Walker faced four criminal street gang terrorism charges in addition to the murder charge.

After a thorough trial, the jury found Walker guilty on all 10 counts presented. Judge Ashley Wright sentenced him to life in prison, with an additional 20 years.

These back-to-back convictions highlight the commitment of the Augusta District Attorney’s Office to seek justice for victims and their families. The successful prosecutions of Ronald Harris and Jamarius Walker send a clear message that violence will not be tolerated in the community.

The Augusta community has suffered the loss of three transgender or nonconforming individuals over the past three years. Felycya Harris, a 33-year-old transgender woman, was found shot to death in an Augusta park on October 3, 2020. Keshia Chanel Geter, a 26-year-old transgender woman, was found shot to death at the Knights Inn Hotel on Boy Scout Road in Augusta on July 20, 2022. These tragic incidents highlight the need for continued efforts to combat violence and create a safer environment for all residents.

The convictions of Ronald Harris and Jamarius Walker serve as a step towards justice and bring some closure to the victims’ families. However, they also serve as a reminder of the ongoing work required to address violence and protect vulnerable communities. The Augusta District Attorney’s Office will continue its efforts to hold accountable those who commit acts of violence and ensure the safety and security of all individuals in the community..

1. Augusta murder suspects convicted, receive life sentences
2. Augusta murder suspects sentenced to life.