The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Feeling sorry for the customer who said his mom no longer had a place to live, gas station owner Zerit Haileslasie let the mother stay in a shed behind the store rent-free.
A few days later, the man entered the Shell service station in the 3100 block of Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway and fatally shot Haileslasi three times. Store surveillance cameras then caught the man and his mother stealing money from the cash register.
The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office said Thursday that the mother, 47-year-old Regina Roberts, has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the December 2006 shooting and testified against her son.
The son, David Leeks, 26, was found guilty last week of malice murder. He was sentenced to life plus 25 years in prison. Roberts was given 20 years.
Haileslasie, known in the neighborhood as Simon, had moved to Atlanta from Toronto to help run the family business.
“He was saving money to become the next in the family of Ethiopian entrepreneurs to open a store,” said District Attorney spokeswoman Lyn Vaughn.
3 thoughts on “Woman, son guilty in killing of Atlanta store owner”
Very bad news. By the way what is going on! killings and much crime acts are being happen among ethiopians recent days?
Oh my God! really this is rediculous!
why do people kill each other? It is a crime on the earth and sin in the sky !
may you rest in peace now Simon, since justice has been served! You were a great man and will forever be missed! I love you and miss you so much. I am sorry, I never had a chance to tell you. I know you are my guardian angel.