Homeless man jailed for life after murdering tourist who refused him money

PA

A man has been sentenced to life in prison plus 25 years for shooting and killing a tourist who refused his request for small change.

Wanique Odwin was sentenced on Monday in Atlanta, America, after a jury convicted him of murdering Kashma Avery, 48, in September 2008.

Prosecutors said Mr Odwin asked for a quarter after Mr Avery and a friend, Jay Abernathy, stopped at a Shell gas station to ask for directions.

According to The Sacramento Bee, when Mr Avery refused, Mr Odwin became aggressive and shot him with a .380-calibre semi-automatic gun.

Mr Abernathy tried to grab the gun, but Mr Avery was wounded and died later on in hospital.

Mr Odwin ran off but was later arrested after being found at a homeless camping area.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Wanique Odwin was sentenced by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Craig Schwall after a jury found him guilty of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during a felony, according to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office.

Odwin was convicted of murder in the death of Kashma Avery, of Michigan, and of aggravated assault against 33-year-old Jay Abernathy.


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