Clayton County Jury Convicts Man of Felony Murder in 2023 Killing of Best Friend

CLAYTON COUNTY, Georgia – Clayton County District Attorney Tasha M. Mosley announced the conviction of 75-year-old Joe Link for the killing of his longtime friend, 67-year-old Coybern Jones. A Clayton County jury found Link guilty of felony murder and aggravated assault following a weeklong trial.

Prosecutors presented evidence showing the events that led to Jones’ death on October 30, 2023. According to the State, Link approached Jones, whom he had known for 20 to 30 years, while carrying a metal pole at an Exxon gas station off North Main Street in Jonesboro, Georgia.

Surveillance video shown during the trial captured Jones leaving the gas station and walking up Johnson Street before turning onto Woodland Drive. Footage also showed Link following him in the same direction.

Prosecutors said Link later left the Jonesboro area around 5:34 p.m. Roughly 25 minutes later, a 911 call was placed by two women who reported seeing a motionless body lying in the road on Woodland Drive.

Jonesboro Police responded to the scene and found Jones with a single gunshot wound to the neck. Investigators also located a revolver about 36 feet away from the victim’s body in a nearby cemetery.

Detectives interviewed Link on November 2, 2023. During the interview, prosecutors said Link initially distanced himself from both the area and the killing. After about an hour, he told detectives that he and Jones struggled over a firearm and that the gun discharged during the confrontation.

Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Brianna Jordan led the prosecution, with Assistant District Attorney Arit Essien serving as co-counsel. Major Case Investigator Dwayne Harrison, Deputy Chief Investigator Khalil Rajahn, and Victim Advocate Maria Dillard also assisted in the case.

The trial began Monday, February 23, 2026, and concluded Friday, February 27, 2026. Georgia Senior Judge Arch McGarity presided over the proceedings.

Following the conviction, Judge McGarity sentenced Link to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

District Attorney Mosley said the conviction brings accountability in the case.

“Violence should never be the answer during any confrontation,” Mosley said. “We hope that this conviction brings some measure of healing and closure to the family of Mr. Jones.”