A delusional mother scolded jurors for convicting her son of murder too quickly during a bizarre courtroom outburst.
Valerie Ross moaned to the court after her son Demetrice Ross and his accomplice Brandon Williams were found guilty of murdering Thomas Arnold.
Arnold, 60, was shot and killed while walking on the Atlanta Beltline, a 22-mile loop around the city, in February of 2022.
Ross and Williams were found guilty on Wednesday of killing Arnold after attempting to rob him, the court heard. They didn’t now their victim prior to his brutal murder.
The two will spend the rest of their lives in prison without the possibility of parole, with Ross’ mother addressing the jury after their sentencing was handed down.
Valerie Ross turned and faced the jury, saying: ‘I believe in my heart, with my whole heart, with my whole heart, with my whole heart, with my whole heart, with my whole heart, with my whole heart, my son Demetrice Ross is innocent.’
She gesticulated dramatically during the bizarre utterance.
Ross also criticized the jury, saying that they did not take enough time to arrive at their decision while vowing to appeal the decision, according to WSBTV.
Williams’ mom added: ‘I know the truth. I wasn’t there, but I know the truth. He’s not going to lie to me.’
Thomas Arnold was shot and killed while walking on the Atlanta Beltline, a 22-mile loop around the city, in February of 2022
Valerie Ross had addressed the court after her son Demetrice Ross and his accomplice Brandon Williams were found guilty of murdering Arnold
Prosecutors had pinned the actual shooting on Williams, the pair were both found guilty on charges of malice murder, felony murder, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of a firearm.
Prior to being gunned down, Arnold had spent the evening with friends at a restaurant and had been heading home when he was murdered.
His body was found the next morning near the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Bernina Avenue.
Arnold was a longtime resident of the Poncey-Highland neighborhood, and was known to walk the Beltline.
He was known in the area for his volunteering work and was a keen cyclist. Following his death a white cross and yellow bike were placed in his honor on the Beltline.
His brother-in-law Ronald Gainor spoke on behalf of the family after the trial formerly ended.
Gainor said: ‘It’s really been tough on my wife. There has not been a day that’s gone by that she hasn’t thought about this.’
He also described his in-law as being a loving uncle who liked to travel and whitewater rafting, as well as volunteering to help foster dogs.
Ross, blue shirt, and Williams, black jacket, were found guilty on Wednesday of killing Arnold after attempting to rob him
Prosecutors had pinned the actual shooting on Williams, left, the pair were both found guilty on charges of malice murder
In sentencing them to life without parole, Fulton County Judge Craig Schwall said: ‘Your repugnant and depraved conduct has earned you the certainty that each of you will perish in prison
‘This was a cold and calculated murder. These defendants’ conduct was devoid of morality.
‘And it was willful and intentional without any concern whatsoever for the value of human life, all human life.’
Williams was first arrested by cops less than a month after the shooting, as they continued to look for Ross, who they arrested a few days later.
The two were seen on surveillance footage alongside another suspect, Ahmir Rosario, who was never arrested and has since died, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Lawyers representing Williams and Ross attempted to pin the shooting on Rosario, and said the prosecution’s case was based on a poor investigation.
They also argued that it wasn’t an attempted to robbery, noting that Arnold’s watch and wallet were still on his person, according to the outlet.
Just a month before the shooting Williams was released from state prison after three years into a 10-year sentence for a burglary. He was to spend 7 years on probation.
