On May 10, 2024, a Coweta County Jury found Derrious Bernard Daniel, 22, of Grantville, Georgia, guilty of Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, three counts of Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony concerning the shooting death of Dustin Scott Parrott on February 17, 2023, in Newnan, Georgia. After considering the evidence presented at trial and during the sentencing hearing, Coweta Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Emory Palmer sentenced Daniel to Life Imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Assistant District Attorney Magen Bateman prosecuted the case which was investigated by Newnan Police Department Detective Kenneth Horace. It should also be recognized that members of the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, including the late K9 Deputy Eric Minix who passed away in the line of duty, also responded to the scene and provided immediate assistance.
The evidence presented to the jury showed the following: On February 17, 2023, Parrott and two males, none of whom resided in Newnan, drove into the city for the purpose of selling marijuana. Under the pretense of purchasing marijuana from the three males, Daniel approached their car, but he did so while in possession of a firearm and with the intention of robbing them. Evidence proving his intention to commit robbery included text messages and witness testimony.
Once at the car occupied by the three males, Daniel brandished his firearm and attempted to take a firearm possessed by Parrott. When Parrott refused to let go of his firearm, he was shot and killed. Count five and six charged Daniel with the Aggravated Assault of the two surviving occupants of the vehicle, and Daniel was sentenced to twenty years in prison for each count.
This is yet another case of young men, many of whom were teenagers at the time of the crime, committing felonies that resulted in a homicide. There were no fully innocent parties in this case and everyone involved has experienced the consequences. The two most severe consequences are that one man lost his life while attempting to deal drugs with a firearm and the man responsible for his death will spend the rest of his life in prison. They both could have chosen not to involve themselves with felony crimes that day, and I hope this case serves as a lesson to all young people in our community who consider similar behavior.
JOHN HERBERT CRANFORD, JR.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
COWETA JUDICIAL CIRCUIT