Athens jury acquits 'counterfeit money' murder defendant
Updated: May 2
By Joe Johnson
An Athens-Clarke County jury recently acquitted a man of murder charges concerning a fatal shooting that allegedly occurred during a dispute over counterfeit money.
Following a four-day Superior Court trial, 32-year-old Christpher Tyrone Rollins was found by the jury on April 27 to be not guilty of malice and felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Judge Lisa Lott granted a defense motion for a directed verdict of not guilty on a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Court records indicate that Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez was lead prosecutor.
Authorities had alleged that Rollins fatally shot 27-year-old Quamiek Malik Aziz on Dec. 29, 2020 at the Rolling Ridge apartment complex off Kathwood Drive during an altercation about Rollins’ use of a counterfeit $100 bill.
Another victim, Deundre Moses, was injured by gunfire during the incident.