Georgia Jury Deliberates in Vernon Forrest Murder Trial

by Scott Christ on Aug 16, 2011 4:55 PM EDT in Boxing News Analysis

Jurors are deliberating in Vernon Forrest's murder case from 2009. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that jurors in Fulton County, Georgia, are currently deliberating in the trial of Demario Ware, a 22-year-old who is accused of murdering former boxing champion Vernon Forrest in July 2009.

Ware is facing charges of felony murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm, and is facing life in prison if convicted of murder.

Ware has confessed to pointing a gun at Forrest and demanding his gold, championship ring and diamond Rolex watch, but he did not fire the series of shots that killed the boxer. After being robbed, Forrest chased Ware, who was able to run away and hide, according to testimony during the trial, which began last week in Fulton County Superior Court.

As Forrest walked back to the gas station, he was confronted by another man, alleged to be Charman Sinkfield. As Forrest walked away from Sinkfield, Sinkfield allegedly fired several shots, hitting Forrest seven times. A third suspect, Jquante Crews, is accused of being the getaway driver, picking up both Ware and Sinkfield and leaving the scene.

Sometimes it's easy to forget that Forrest and Arturo Gatti, a couple of guys who were there for the explosion of my boxing fandom, are gone -- like it's not real that they're really gone. Those guys and Diego Corrales. And then something comes up, and I remember watching their fights, specific moments in them, and it always gets me. This is one of those moments for me, sitting here and thinking about men being on trial for the murder of Vernon Forrest. Hopefully some justice will be found for his family and loved ones.

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Amen.

I don’t think anyone know what happened with Gatti; the circumstances sound so bizarre. But I guess there was some sort of history behind it. Corrales, from what I understand, carried some issues around that caught up with him on that motorcycle.

But Forrest just got robbed and shot. Out of nowhere, just like that, like so many other people. It’s hard to really internalize something that unpredictable.

by DrRck on Aug 16, 2011 5:13 PM EDT reply actions

It's called random violence and it can happen to any of us at any time. It is horiffic.

"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." - Mike Quarry

by Boss Man on Aug 16, 2011 6:43 PM EDT reply actions

By no means was it his fault that this happened, but there’s one thing that I always wondered about this incident. Forrest was armed. Which is not something i have a problem with. That’s his choice. But I’m sure he wasn’t armed for the sake of just being armed. He was armed for protection. He felt his success made him a target. Understandable. In his shoes I’m sure I’ll feel the same way. Which is why I can’t understand why he would let some one approach him late night at a gas station. I mean famous or not if I have my young son (or God son) and it’s late night and I’m forced to pull over somewhere in a Jaguar I’m being extra cautious. I’m staying in the car with my son till I’m able to cell phone someone for help. I’m not taking help form anybody that just walks up randomly. I don’t care if he’s white, black, Mexican or some kind of pink alien. Thanks for the offer. But I got it.

All of it. Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie. I want it all.

by Eugene Banks on Aug 16, 2011 9:15 PM EDT reply actions