Man Convicted of Murder, Multiple Charges in 2023 Newton County Shooting Death

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — A jury has found Jacarie Anttwonn Justice guilty on all counts in connection with the 2023 shooting death of 19-year-old Jacquavius Lackey.

The verdict was returned following a trial that began April 27, 2026, with jurors convicting Justice of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and cruelty to children in the third degree.

Prosecutors said the shooting occurred May 29, 2023, at a residence on Lawn Way and stemmed from a dispute involving the victim and members of the defendant’s family. According to evidence presented at trial, Lackey had a child with the defendant’s sister and had come to the residence when an altercation broke out.

Testimony showed Lackey was initially involved in a confrontation with multiple individuals before retrieving a firearm from his vehicle and firing it into the air. Authorities said the situation de-escalated after the parties separated, and Lackey returned the firearm to his vehicle.

Prosecutors argued that when Lackey later approached the defendant and threw a punch, Justice pulled out a firearm and shot him, despite knowing Lackey was unarmed at that point. Evidence showed Lackey attempted to flee but was shot multiple times, including after falling to the ground.

A neighbor’s surveillance camera captured the incident, and the footage was shown to the jury multiple times. A juvenile witness also testified, stating the victim was not a threat when the final shots were fired.

The defense argued the shooting was in self-defense. The judge instructed jurors on self-defense laws, including that there is no duty to retreat, but the jury ultimately rejected that argument.

The case was prosecuted by the Newton County District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab.

The court ordered a pre-sentence investigation. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled once that report is complete.