SUPERIOR COURT
The defendant in a murder trial scheduled to begin Monday opted to enter a guilty plea and avoid the possibility of a sentence of life without parole.
Rashad Anthony Lay, 27, was in Jones County Superior Court Aug. 24 to enter a guilty plea to voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Lay received a sentence of 20 years for voluntary manslaughter and five years for the firearm charge. The counts were ordered to run consecutively for a total of 25 years to serve in the state penal system.
Lay was indicted by a Jones County Grand Jury Feb. 6 for the crimes of malice murder, felony murder and aggravated assault in connection with the shooting of Trentarius Jade Greene and his subsequent death.
The shooting took place Oct. 4, 2022, in Haddock. Lay was arrested Oct. 18 and charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony.
The charges against Lay escalated Nov. 4, when Greene succumbed to the injuries he received in the shooting.
Lay was represented by defense attorneys Hoganne Harrison Walton and Rashawn Clark. Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale III prosecuted the case.
Superior Court Judge Amanda Petty accepted the plea.
Barksdale told the court that Lay was at his aunt’s house in Haddock Oct. 4. Neighbors heard a loud confrontation and saw an altercation on the front porch.
“They saw Mr. Greene throw an older man off the porch. Witnesses did not see the shooting but heard it,” he said.
The prosecutor said nine bullet casings were found at the scene. “Trent Greene was shot just about everywhere,” he said.
Barksdale said Lay fled after the shooting and was located later. He said Greene was transported to the trauma center and had multiple surgeries.
The prosecutor said Greene was transferred to a hospice facility, where he died. Before his death, the victim had two interviews with law enforcement. Barksdale said Greene admitted he was at the house to see if anyone wanted to purchase marijuana and to throwing the older man off the porch.
“Evidence shows at least one shot was in the back as Greene was running away. There was a grouping of shots, a pause, and then more shots,” the prosecutor said. “The defendant then approached Greene and shot him again.”
Barksdale remained steadfast that Lay would plead to the maximum of 25 years to serve. Prior to pretrial motions Aug. 18, Lay’s attorney contacted the District Attorney’s office with an offer of a plea of involuntary manslaughter and a sentence of 20 years to serve.
The prosecutor turned down the offer and continued to prepare for trial.
Barksdale said Lay has no criminal history, and he was concerned about the lesser included offense of involuntary manslaughter at trial. He said, however, he did not feel like the argument of self-defense for Lay, as had been brought up during the pretrial motions, would be successful.
Barksdale said before accepting the voluntary manslaughter plea, he spoke with Capt. Kenny Allen, the lead investigator, and he agreed. The prosecutor said Sheriff Butch Reece and Chief Deputy Earl Humphries did not object.
He said he also talked to Greene’s family.
“We all have mixed emotions. Mr. Greene was shot and left to die on the sidewalk. In my opinion, this is a good resolution to the case; not a great resolution,” Barksdale said.
Petty listened to victim impact statements from three family members, including Greene’s wife, before pronouncing sentence.
Lay was asked to stand as the judge ordered him to serve the maximum of 25 years to serve for the two charges.
The defense requested the plea be entered as first offender, but the judge in her discretion did not allow it.
After listening to the impact statements, Petty said she was not sure she could say more.
“Nothing will make this family whole,” she said.
The judge then addressed Lay.
“You have to live with the consequence of your actions, and it’s heartbreaking for someone with no criminal history,” she said.
