Deal for murder suspect on the way?

Tue, 07/11/2006 - 4:10pm
By: John Munford

Deal for murder suspect on the way?

The attorney for a Sharpsburg teen accused of murdering his friend at an unsupervised teen party in Peachtree City June 20 confirmed Tuesday that the case may come to a resolution before a trial.

Attorney Tom Cook, representing Kevin Johnston, 18, of HiLo Park Drive in neighboring Coweta County, said he has been in talks with the Fayette County District Attorney’s Office about the disposition of the case.

Johnston is accused of shooting Dallas Crenshaw, 18, of Pinegate Road in Peachtree City at the party, which police said was held at the home of another Peachtree City teen, Christopher Canderozzi.

Crenshaw died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen while doctors attempted surgery to save his life, police said. Witnesses at the party confirmed that Johnston and Crenshaw had been “playing” with the weapon before the shooting occurred.

Detectives were able to speak with Crenshaw before he was flown to the hospital, dispelling the initial account from partygoers, Murray said.

Johnston has been charged with felony murder and misdemeanor counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a person under 18 years old, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana (less than one ounce).

Canderozzi, 18, of Constitutional Circle, has been charged with reckless conduct and possession of marijuana (less than one ounce).

Canderozzi’s parents were out of town at the time of the party, police said.

Cook wouldn’t provide further details on the status of the case, but he noted that both families grieved the loss of Crenshaw.

“There has been nothing but grief for everybody concerned,” Cook said.

Johnston and Crenshaw were friends going back to the sixth grade, Cook said. Police said Johnston drove Crenshaw to the party, and also that Johnston was the one who brought the gun to the party. The party included a large amount of alcohol and evidence was found that marijuana was smoked throughout the home, police said.

Johnston appeared briefly in court Tuesday, though his attorney waived the probable cause hearing that had been scheduled.

In doing so, Johnston chose not to challenge the warrant against him for felony murder; he is scheduled to appear Friday morning at a bond hearing before Fayette County Superior Court Judge Johnnie L. Caldwell Jr.

One of Crenshaw’s family members wore a commemorative T-shirt emblazoned with his photo. The family declined to make a statement after the hearing through a spokesperson.

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