Says the SAO:
Judge Charles G. Bernstein sentenced Adrian McFadden, 31, of the 700 block of N. Payson St. to a double life sentence plus 175 years without parole yesterday after he was found guilty of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, attempted armed carjacking and multiple handgun and assault charges November 7, 2008. The jury deliberated just over five hours in November 2008 before finding McFadden guilty of murdering George Johnson following a petty traffic dispute that escalated on a summer day in 2007.
The jury acquitted co-defendant Anthony Davate Miles, 25, of the 400 block of Mt. Holley St. of murder, but found him guilty of multiple assault charges. The jury convicted both defendants of attempted armed carjacking charges in the 700 block of N. Payson St. The attempted carjacking followed a traffic dispute that led to the murder of George Johnson, the attempted murder of Avon Ball, and the shooting of an innocent bystander on July 6, 2007.
On July 6, 2007 George Johnson and Avon Ball, foster brothers who did not know the defendants, were traveling in the 700 block of N. Payson St. to retrieve clothing items in a house in that same block, when they were forced to turn their vehicle around due to a memorial block party for a young child who was fatally injured by a vehicle days earlier. Although they turned the vehicle around without incident, McFadden and Miles followed the vehicle’s occupants and walked up the street to confront Avon Ball and George Johnson, the driver. Avon Ball’s infant son was a passenger in the car.
Testimony at the trial showed that the accusations by McFadden and Miles escalated, as they demanded the car with the child. Ball testified in the three-week trial that as he pleaded for his life, his foster brother, George Johnson said, “shoot me”, at which point McFadden shot Johnson four times as he ran up Payson St. and then pointed the gun at Ball, shooting him. Ball suffered life-threatening injuries and has had major reconstruction surgery. Testimony also revealed that McFadden shot an innocent bystander, a 17-year old girl and family friend, as he chased his victims. Trial testimony also showed that after McFadden shot the victims he walked over to Johnson and asked, “Is he dead yet?” and walked down the street polishing his gun with his T-shirt. The State also presented evidence and testimony that McFadden attempted to thwart the testimony of a State’s witness by sending a girlfriend to visit the mother of the witness to convince her to have the witness change her testimony.
The jury deliberated about five hours after the State presented nearly a dozen witnesses in a trial that lasted three weeks before the Honorable Charles Bernstein.
During sentencing proceedings yesterday, Judge Bernstein admonished a defense witness who testified on behalf of the defendant. He noted and advised the State’s Attorney’s Office to use more “tools in their toolbox” to pursue perjury charges against witnesses who fail to testify truthfully. He doubted the truthfulness of her testimony saying that he found as a matter of fact, and beyond a reasonable doubt, that she lied on the witness stand and that college officials and the a professional licensing board should be notified as she continues to pursue a nursing degree.
Judge Bernstein also praised the bond of love between brothers Avon Ball and George Johnson, and said that it was similar to the US Marine Bond and worthy of commendation.