Prosecutor to seek life without parole for teenage defendant in Athens gang murder

By Joe Johnson

An assistant state attorney general has notified the court of his intention to seek a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for a gang member who is accused of murder.

Zyquavious O’Neal Thomas was 16 when he allegedly murdered 20-year-old Cameron Manago at Rolling Ridge Apartments in May 2024.

Now 18, Thomas is charged in a 14-count indictment with crimes that include murder, armed robbery, and participation in the street gang known as Sex, Money, Murder.

Earlier this month a notice of intent to seek a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole was filed in Superior Court by Ryan Piechocinski, who heads Attorney General Chris Carr’s Gang Prosecution Unit.

A trial date has yet to be scheduled.