Collins

Two Colquitt County men avoided a murder trial by pleading guilty to a Jan. 25 slaying that occurred during a robbery  attempt in Moultrie.

Tamorious Rakeem Collins, and Demetrius Antwaun Key each entered guilty pleas Monday to one count of voluntary manslaughter and a separate charge of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Their guilty pleas leave a 16-year-old indicted in the case to stand trial at a later date.

Superior Court Judge Harry J. Altman II sentenced Key, 19, to 20 years in prison on the voluntary manslaughter charge and an additional five years on the firearms possession charge.

Collins, 18, was sentenced to serve 13 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter and five additional years on the firearms charge. He also was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and reimburse taxpayers for $500 toward the cost of his appointed attorney.

Collins, Key and Maurice Lewis, 16, were accused in the Jan. 25 shooting death of Juan David Gizon-Lopez.

Witnesses told law enforcement that Gizon-Lopez was shot during a robbery attempt at 1011 Joe Louis Ave. He and a second man were in the back yard of the residence when they were approached by three assailants, at least one of whom had a gun. When the assailants demanded money Gizon-Lopez and the other man refused and a fight ensued during which Gizon-Lopez was shot in the left side of his body.

Collins, Key and Lewis, who also goes by the name Maurice Lewis Welch, were each indicted on a single count of felony murder, two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and attempt to commit a felony. Key also was indicted on a charge of giving a false statement.

Key received the longer sentence because he was considered to be the triggerman in the shooting, Assistant District Attorney Brian McDaniel said. Collins also was believed to have been armed at the time of the slaying.

Key’s 20-year sentence was the maximum allowed on that charge.

In addition to the prison time and fine, Collins’ sentence requires that he testify in the trial of codefendant Lewis, McDaniel said.

Lewis, who will be tried as an adult in the case, fired his state-appointed attorney shortly before the trial was set to start, McDaniel said. He said he is not sure when the trial will be rescheduled.