Jury finds man guilty in shooting death of Atlanta Olympic boxer

ATLANTA — A jury just returned a guilty verdict in the case of a murdered world champion boxer.

That jury will return Tuesday and begin hearing testimony before deciding if Charmon Sinkfield should die for murdering boxer Vernon Forrest during a robbery.%

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Channel 2’s Tom Jones was in the courtroom Monday when the verdict was read.

Jones said Sinkfield stared blankly ahead as Fulton County Superior Court Judge Alford Dempsey read the jury’s verdict of guilty on all counts, including murder.

The family Forrest became emotional after hearing the verdict. His mother wiped away her tears.

Jones said her heard someone say, ‘Thank you Jesus.’”

Meanwhile, a member of Sinkfield's family was so overcome with grief, she had to be led from court.

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Prosecutors say Sinkfield shot Forrest after his friend Demario Ware stole the boxer's championship ring and an expensive watch at Chevron gas station on McDaniel Street near Interstate 20 in July 2009.

Jquante Crews drove the getaway car after the shooting.

Forrest had stopped at the gas station to get something to drink and noticed his tire needed air.

That's when he was robbed and chased Ware, and then encountered Sinkfield.

Sinkfield could get the death penalty.

The boxer's family did not want to comment after court but they were happy the jury found Sinkfield guilty on all counts.

Sinkfield's two co-defendants are serving life without parole for their roles in this case.

Sinkfield's attorneys will begin the task of trying to save his life after prosecutors begin the penalty phase Tuesday morning.

Cox Media Group