GBI announces arrests in connection with Rome double homicide

By: Staff Reports

On: July 24, 2020

In: Area News, Local News, News Desk, Police/Crime News

PRESS RELEASE:

The following individuals have been arrested in the double murder investigation for the deaths of Vanita Richardson and Truvenia Campbell:

Desmond Lavonta Brown, age 28, charged with Malice Murder (2cts), Felony Murder (2 cts), Aggravated Battery (2cts), Aggravated Assault (2cts), Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Crime, Possession of a Firearm by First Offender Probationer, Theft by Taking, Tampering with Evidence (3cts), False Statements and Writings, and Abandonment of a Dead Body (2cts).

Devin Lashawn Watts, age 36, charged with Malice Murder (2cts), Felony Murder (2 cts), Aggravated Battery (2cts), Aggravated Assault (2cts), Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Crime, Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon, Theft by Taking, Tampering with Evidence (3cts), False Statements and Writings, and Abandonment of a Dead Body (2cts).

Christopher Leedarius Pullen, age 23, charged with Felony Murder (2cts), Aggravated Battery (2cts), Aggravated Assault (2cts), Abandonment of Dead Body (2cts), Tampering with Evidence (3cts), Theft by Taking, False Statements and Writings.

All three are in custody at the Floyd County Jail.

GBI Agents announce that Vanita Richardson’s vehicle has been recovered. The vehicle, a 1997 Toyota Corolla, gold in color, had been missing since the victims’ death. The vehicle was located in the City of South Fulton. The vehicle was transported to Rome, Georgia to be processed for evidence.

The investigation into the death of Vanita Richardson and Truvenia Campbell represents efforts from numerous law enforcement agencies from Rome and the surrounding areas. Agencies that provided assistance include:

Rome Police Department
Rome Floyd Metro Task Force
Floyd County Police Department
Floyd County Sheriff’s Office
Cartersville Bartow County Drug Task Force
FBI
U.S. Marshall Service
Georgia State Patrol
Union City Police
Atlanta Police Department
Pickens County Sheriff’s Office
Rockmart Police Department
Polk County Police Department
Georgia Bureau of Investigation: Region 1, 8, 10, GISAC, DOFS

Previous Post: VIDEO: State Senate District 31 candidate Jason Anavitarte (R) joins us in studio

Next Post: Daughter of Rockmart softball coach dies in tragic accident

On this day in history, April 19, 1951, Gen. MacArthur delivers 'Old soldiers never die' speech to Congress April 19, 2024
Gen. Douglas MacArthur delivered his "Old soldiers never die" speech to a joint session of Congress on this day in history, April 19, 1951. Earlier, MacArthur was relieved of his military duties.
Israel strikes site in Iran in retaliation for weekend assault: source April 19, 2024
Israel early Friday fired missiles at a site in Iran in retaliation for Tehran's firing a barrage of missiles and drones at Israel over the weekend.
Rep. Ilhan Omar's daughter arrested and released amid NYC anti-Israel protests at Columbia University April 19, 2024
Isra Hirsi, daughter of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., was arrested Thursday during an anti-Israel protest at Columbia University in New York.
SEAN HANNITY: Biden needs all the help he can get April 19, 2024
Fox News host Sean Hannity reveals shocking details about President Biden's past as he hits the campaign trail for the 2024 election on "Hannity."
Fetterman scolds Dem colleagues for failing to condemn Iran's attack on Israel April 19, 2024
Senator Fetterman slammed his Democratic colleagues for their refusal to condemn Iran for its attack on Israel in retaliation for the deadly bombing of its Syrian consulate.

Georgia adds jobs in March while jobless rate stays flat
Health-services jobs hit an all-time high in Georgia last month. ATLANTA – Georgia’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.1% last month even as the state added 16,200 jobs, the Georgia Department of Labor reported Thursday. The number of jobs reached more than 4.9 million in March, an all-time high. Job sectors hitting record highs included […]
Kemp inks tax-cut package
ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp signed a package of tax cut bills Thursday that the General Assembly passed during the recently concluded legislative session. “All of these bills will help keep money where it belongs – in the pockets of our hardworking families,” Kemp said during a ceremony in Augusta. The highlight of the package […]
State awards third round of rural housing grants
ATLANTA – A third round of rural housing grants will invest more than $6.3 million in infrastructure improvements that will support more than 123 housing units in three Georgia communities. Gov. Brian Kemp announced the state’s Rural Workforce Housing Initiative last year during his annual State of the State address. Since then, the General Assembly […]
Georgia DAs file new lawsuit challenging state oversight panel
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston ATLANTA – Three Georgia district attorneys have filed a new lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of legislation creating an oversight board with the power to discipline and potentially remove prosecutors. The Republican-controlled General Assembly passed a bill last year creating the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission (PAQC) to handle complaints against […]
Port of Brunswick sets record month for autos
Port of Brunswick ATLANTA – The Port of Brunswick enjoyed its busiest month ever in March, the Georgia Ports Authority reported Wednesday. The Colonel’s Island Terminal at Brunswick handled 77,236 units of Roll-on/Roll-off cargo last month, including autos and heavy machinery, an increase of 21% over March of last year and a new record. The […]
University System of Georgia raising tuition by 2.5%
University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue ATLANTA – In-state undergraduates at Georgia’s public colleges and universities will be paying 2.5% more for tuition during the coming school year. After keeping tuition flat at all but one of the University System of Georgia’s 26 institutions for six of the past eight years, the system’s Board […]
State energy regulators OK Georgia Power plan to boost generating capacity
ATLANTA – The state Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a request by Georgia Power Tuesday for a huge increase in electrical generating capacity power utility executives said is needed to meet the growing demands of large industrial customers. The additional capacity will come from a variety of sources, including battery storage and other forms of […]
Ossoff blasts postal service chief over delays in mail delivery
ATLANTA – U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., grilled the head of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Tuesday about months-long delays in delivering mail processed at a new regional distribution center in Palmetto. Since the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center began operations earlier this year, only 36% of inbound mail is being delivered on time, […]
Atlanta airport remains world’s busiest
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ATLANTA – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retained its distinction as the world’s busiest airport last year, the industry organization Airport Council International reported Monday. The Atlanta airport served 104.7 million passengers in 2023, based on preliminary figures, an 11.7% increase over the previous year. “Being home to the world’s busiest airport […]
State tax revenues drop by double digits
ATLANTA – Georgia tax collections continued their downward slide last month, declining by 12.6% compared to March of last year, the state Department of Revenue reported Friday. Year-to-date tax receipts were more encouraging, with revenues down a slight 0.5% compared to the first nine months of the last fiscal year. However, that’s only because the […]