Local

Accused killer of 92-year-old had extensive criminal background

EAST POINT, Ga. — The man accused of murdering a 92-year-old East Point resident is due in court on Thursday, the same day victim, Julius Dewberry, will be buried.

East Point police arrested Christopher Roberts on Tuesday, charging him with murder and several other offenses.

Roberts worked as a handyman around the area and Dewberry's family said he worked at the elderly man's home several times.

"He was a 92-year-old man, he didn't deserve to die like that," said Dewberry's daughter Pat Mihailoff.

Mihailoff and another relative spent Wednesday cleaning the family home on Jefferson Avenue and preparing for Thursdays funeral.

On the refrigerator was a note Dewberry had kept with the accused murderer's phone number and the words "Call Anytime."

"Every time I go past where he sat, I can see that's where they hurt him," Mihailoff said.

Investigators said Roberts stole hundreds of dollars, a flat-screen TV and some costume jewelry from the home.

Records show Roberts has an extensive rap sheet -- arrested six times in Fulton County alone dating back seven years. He's been charged with everything from eluding police to two different charges of aggravated assault.

Dewberry's neighbors recognized Roberts from around the area.

"He's been to numerous houses just asking if he could do yard work, cut limbs, rake leaves, whatever," said neighbor Ramon Frazier.

"Nothing is worse than having someone you trust, having someone hurt you and the way he was hurt," Mihailoff said.