Cobb County: Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Shooting Woman in Neck, Attempting to Influence Witnesses

A convicted felon who shot a woman in the neck, leaving her paralyzed, has been sentenced to 20 years, with 15 years to be served in prison.

Robert Gerald Lee, 30, pleaded guilty before Chief Judge Ann B. Harris to multiple charges including aggravated assault, aggravated battery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, influencing a witness, criminal attempt to commit a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The incident occurred on November 1, 2019, at a residence in Kennesaw. Lee was present with Austin Gravett, Jessica Shearer, and Joanna Alvarez, the victim, whom he had just met. Witnesses told investigators that Lee had been dry-firing a gun before it discharged, striking Alvarez in the neck. The injury resulted in permanent paralysis from the waist down.

After the shooting, Lee fled the scene and remained at large for three years before being captured in California. He was extradited to Georgia to face charges. While in custody, investigators discovered Lee had made several jail calls offering money in attempts to influence the testimonies of Alvarez and Shearer.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Cecina Crabtree and investigated by law enforcement agencies in Georgia and California.