Stone Mountain Man Convicted of Teenager’s Fatal Shooting After Claiming Self-Defense
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced today a conviction by jury trial in the case against a Stone Mountain man accused of fatally shooting a teenager in the street.
Trillian Haile, 36, was found guilty on Wednesday of Voluntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in connection with the death of Dontavious Young, 19, on September 8, 2020.
Stone Mountain Police Department responded to reports of a shooting on Cherry Wood Drive and found Young lying in the road with multiple gunshot wounds. Young was pronounced dead at the hospital, having sustained 13 gunshot wounds.
Officers encountered Haile near the scene, who had two handguns, one belonging to Young, and claimed he had also been shot. Haile told investigators he acted in self-defense, alleging that Young attempted to rob him at gunpoint.
Haile stated that he and Young exchanged gunfire, and despite Young’s attempt to flee and apologize, Haile continued shooting until Young was dead.
Senior Judge David Irwin presided over the trial and scheduled Haile’s sentencing hearing for Monday, April 1 at 9:30 a.m.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Yolanda Lippert, with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Miriam Broussard, District Attorney Investigator Tiffany Edwards, and Victim Advocate Christy Palmer. Stone Mountain Police Department Det. Burton led the initial investigation.
