He Shot A Man During A Cookout. Then He Claimed Self-Defense. The Jury Didn’t Buy It.

A Georgia man shot and killed a man after an argument, then claimed self-defense. Now, he will remain behind bars for decades.

Last month, Coweta County Court Judge Emory Palmer sentenced Orenthal Jermaine Carroll, 35, to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of Adrian Cantrell Sheffield, 44.

Less than eight hours after deliberations, Carroll was found guilty and convicted of felony murder, felony murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon during the commission of another felony and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

On April 18, 2018, officers responded to a 911 call after several shots were fired at 19 Octavia Place in Coweta County, Georgia. Upon arrival, officers found Sheffield unresponsive with no pulse. Despite the application of life-saving measures by first responders, the victim was declared dead at the scene, reported The Citizen.

After Carroll’s arrest, he told investigators both men had been in an argument. Furthermore, the defendant said Sheffield had attempted to assault him three weeks before the incident. As a result, the defendant claimed it was the victim’s gun, and he wrestled it from his left hand, then shot him three times.

Then, he threw the weapon 150 yards into the woods, which was never found.

Prosecutors argued otherwise that Carroll had been the aggressor that fateful day. In addition, Medical Examiner Dr. Keith Lehman with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (described Carroll’s version of events to the jury as inconsistent with the evidence at the crime scene.

According to an autopsy report, Sheffield was shot at the back of his head, left arm and forearm. Investigators also found a phone in the victim's left hand, making the defendant’s story highly improbable.

“We commend the Newnan Police Department for their commitment to holding accountable those who commit crimes of violence in our community. We appreciate the service of our Coweta County jurors as fact finders in this trial,” said Assistant District Attorney Matt Swope, according to Newnan Times-Herald.

Palmer sentenced Carroll to additional 15 years.