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Detectives: Gold chain behind murder of Milton teen

ATLANTA — One of three suspects in the murder of a Milton teen wanted the victim's gold chain so badly, he instructed a friend to drive him so he could follow the victim and rob him, a detective testified Thursday.
 
Richard Davidson, Michael Grant and Matthew Goins are charged in the March 12 attempted robbery and shooting death of Chris Walker at his home on Silohuette Court.
 
Milton Detective Kevin Barry testified that witnesses heard the gunshot, and then saw Davidson fleeing the scene in a get-a-way car that investigators believe Grant was driving.
 
Barry testified the situation began at a Taco Bell on Haynes Bridge Road where the three suspects spotted Walker and a friend.
 
"Richard noticed the gold chain that Walker was wearing and told Grant he wanted that chain," said Barry. "(He) advised him to follow them."
 
Barry said the men parked up the street and Davidson approached Walker asking if he knew where to buy marijuana.  When Walker said he did not, Barry testified, Davidson pulled out a gun and demanded the chain.  Barry said Walker and Davidson got into a fight, and Davidson shot Walker in the top of the head, killing him.
 
Davidson's attorney, David Cooper, said even if witnesses placed him at Taco Bell, that didn't tie him to the crimes.
 
"Taco Bell may not be the healthiest choice, but it's not a crime to eat there," said Cooper in his closing argument.
 
Grant's attorney, Lynn Whatley, questioned the veracity of the statement police said he made to them.
 
"They didn't know the man with him was going to commit a crime," he said.  "My client told me strongly that he didn't know this crime was going to be committed."
 
Matthew Goins' defense attorney, Steve Sadow, questioned how his client could be culpable for robbery and murder when he was just a passenger in the car.
 
"(He) did not get out of the car at the other location, did not engage in any agreement or planning on taking the gold chain," Sadow said.  "There's nothing that shows he agreed to voluntarily participate in the attempted robbery or murder."
 
All three suspects requested a bond, but Judge Karen Woodson only granted one for Goins at $150,000.
 
A grand jury is scheduled to hear the case in May.