Thursday, April 4, 2024

Sentencing Update: State v. Trillian Haile

Decatur, Ga.- A Stone Mountain man accused of gunning down a teenager in the middle of the street has been sentenced to 25 years. 

Jurors returned guilty verdicts on March 13 against Trillian Haile, 36, on charges of Voluntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony stemming from the shooting death of Dontavious Young, 19, on September 8, 2020. 

Senior Judge David Irwin, sitting for the DeKalb County Superior Court, presided over the trial.  On Monday, Judge Irwin sentenced Defendant Haile to 20 years to serve in confinement and an additional 5 years on probation. 

According to the investigation, officers with the Stone Mountain Police Department responded to multiple 911 calls about a shooting on Cherry Wood Drive.  When they arrived, officers discovered Young lying face down in the road with multiple gunshot wounds.  Police noticed an empty holster next to Young.  Paramedics transported Young to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.  An autopsy revealed Young had been shot 13 times. 

Officers then saw Defendant Haile standing in front of a nearby home and went to speak with him. Haile had laid two handguns on the ground in front of him, one of which belonged to Young.  Defendant Haile told the officers he had also been shot and he was transported to the hospital as well. 

In an interview with detectives, Defendant Haile said he did not know Young and acted in self-defense.  Haile said he was sitting outside when Young walked up and tried to rob him at gunpoint.  Defendant Haile said he pulled out his own gun and both of them began shooting at each other. 

Defendant Haile explained that Young had tried to run away, but he continued to shoot at Young.  Defendant Haile told investigators Young fell to the ground, put his hands up and yelled “I’m sorry,” but Haile continued to fire until Young was dead.   

The case, assigned to the Homicide and Gangs Unit, was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Yolanda Lippert with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Miriam Broussard, District Attorney Investigator Tiffany Edwards, and Victim Advocate Christy Palmer.  Stone Mountain Police Department Det. Burton led the initial investigation.