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GRIFFIN - The Spalding County District Attorney’s Office tried the State of Georgia vs. Sean Evans this week. Assistant District Attorneys Kathryn Lenhard and Donna Gopaul tried the case for the State. The case was tried in front of the Honorable John C. Carbo, a visiting Senior Judge. A Spalding County jury convicted Evans of multiple counts including: Voluntary Manslaughter, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and multiple counts of Violation of Criminal Street Gang Act. He was sentenced to a total of 50 years in prison.
The defendant was convicted of shooting and killing Ares Mayes on May 30, 2016. Mayes, and two other men, were driving from a club in the city of Griffin. The defendant was traveling in a different vehicle when he shot multiple rounds in the victim’s car, striking the victim. The motive for the shooting was an altercation at the club with a friend of the victim. The defendant was also convicted of being a member of the “Crips,” a criminal street gang in Spalding County.
ADA Lenhard said of the case, “I would like to thank my office, especially my trial partner Donna, the witnesses in the case and law enforcement for their tireless work in bringing this defendant to justice for the senseless shooting of the victim in this case. It took many hours, over 20 witnesses, and 9 days for the jury to deliver a verdict, but the verdict was a clear message to those that engage in gang violence. This community will no longer tolerate it.”
District Attorney Coker added, “Gangs have become a big problem in our community and are responsible for the majority of violent crime and drug crime. Gang cases always pose challenges for law enforcement and prosecutors, but my team faced challenge after challenge with courage, and I could not be prouder of them. My office will not relent in our pursuit to end gang violence in this community. Along with law enforcement, we will continue the fight to keep Spalding County safe.”