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Sentence alert: Austell man receives life sentence for murder

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"Sentence alert: Cobb County District Attorney's Office, Flynn D. Broady, Jr., www.CobbDa.com" and the Cobb DA seal
February 16, 2024

(Marietta, GA – Feb. 16, 2024) Cobb District Attorney Flynn D. Broady Jr. announces that on Feb. 1, 2024, a jury found Sony Lebrun, 37, guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On Feb. 16, 2024, Superior Court Judge Sonja N. Brown sentenced Lebrun to life in prison without the possibility of parole, and an additional 10 years to serve in confinement.

On August 6, 2021, Cobb County Police responded to multiple calls reporting shots fired and that a vehicle had crashed into the gate at the Premier Lane Apartments in Austell. Upon arrival, they located the victim in the vehicle that had crashed into the exit gate of the apartment complex. He was found in the driver’s seat, deceased from a single gunshot wound to the head and witnesses on the scene told police they believed Sony Lebrun was responsible. The victim and the defendant were known to have had an ongoing dispute after a road rage incident.

Witnesses who were with the victim at the time of the shooting fled on foot and were captured on video running away from the scene. One of those two individuals was seen retrieving a firearm from an apartment building and firing in the direction of the defendant’s apartment. No persons or property were struck in that second shooting, but a warrant was obtained for that person’s arrest due to the discharging of the weapon in a neighborhood.

The defendant was then brought in for an interview and denied all knowledge of the shooting. Evidence obtained from the defendant’s phone through GPS tracking and Activity Sensor data identified the defendant at the scene of the crime. Surveillance video from multiple locations confirmed the defendant’s location at the time of the shooting and he was responsible for the murder of Eric Stone. The two witnesses that were with the victim were interviewed and provided further descriptions of the suspect to law enforcement consistent with Sony Lebrun.

“This conviction serves as a testament to the dedication of our staff and the tireless efforts of law enforcement in safeguarding our community," said District Attorney Flynn D. Broady.

Assistant District Attorney Jay Winkler and Donna Merrell prosecuted the case on behalf of the state. The defendant was represented by John Greco.


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