Two survivors of a fatal drug deal plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter charges in Floyd County Superior Court. The charges stem from a drug deal that resulted in gunfire and the death of two Rome men.
Cordaricus Deshjo Hightower, age 23, and Austin Tyler Nix, age 25, were each sentenced by Floyd County Superior Court Judge Jack Niedrach to 15 years with three to serve in prison and the remainder of the sentence on supervised probation.
Hightower also entered a guilty plea for his criminal attempt to possess a felony amount of marijuana, while Nix also admitted to felony charges of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and felony possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
The deadly saga began in April of 2011, when Austin Tyler Nix and Drew Barnes were waiting at a location off Shorter Industrial Boulevard to make a marijuana transaction with Thaddeus Helton Jr., and Cordaricus Deshjo Hightower.
According to the investigation of the incident, Helton apparently shot Barnes and turned away thinking that Barnes was dead. Barnes however was able to get up and return fire, killing Helton. Barnes informed police that it was Helton that had shot him.
Barnes died shortly after as a result of the gunshot wound. Police recovered three guns and a large amount of marijuana and cash at the scene.
Nix and Hightower each fled the scene. Hightower returned to the warehouse and police believe that he went there to seek help. Nix was found hiding in the woods.
Hightower and Nix were each charged with murder under a Georgia law which dictates that anyone involved in an event that results in the death of a person is responsible for the death.
Hightower is currently being held at the Floyd County jail and Nix is currently being held at the Polk County jail.
source: romenews-tribune.com
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