by Meghann AckermanThe Times-Georgian
2 years ago | 127 views | 0

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Jurors chosen Tuesday will hear opening statements Wednesday in the murder and armed robbery trial of Aerius “Pete” “P” Deshad Potts, 17.
Attorneys agreed Tuesday evening on 14 jurors, which includes two alternates. After a day and a half of questioning, nine men and four women were picked to serve.
Potts is charged with two counts of murder, eight counts of aggravated assault, three counts of first-degree cruelty to children, and single counts of armed robbery, possession of a gun or knife during the commission of a crime and possession of a pistol or revolver by a person under the age of 18. He was one of nine young men who allegedly participated in an armed robbery on July 19, 2006, during which Paolo Cabanas, 35, was fatally shot in her home in Elizabeth Village.
The night Cabanas was fatally shot, three other people at the mobile home were injured. Her husband, Jorge Espinosa, was grazed by a bullet and his brother Pedro Espinosa, was shot in the leg. Sabrina Montsivais, who was 9 at the time, was staying with Cabanas while her father was coming home from work and was shot through both her legs.
Potts and one other suspect - Cody Buchanan, who will go to trial in August - remain to be tried in connection with the incident.
Christopher “C-Weezy” Coleman, 20, and Arlandra “Red” Deonta Holland, 18, both pleaded guilty and were sentenced to serve life plus 10 years. LaBryan “B” “Brian” Lytle, 19, and Marcus Tyrone Oliphant, 19, both went to trial and were found guilty. Lytle was sentenced to serve two consecutive life sentences plus 90 years, and Oliphant was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences plus 130 years. Chade Lamont Ackey, 19, was completely acquitted, and Varion “Snoopy” Shell, 18, was acquitted of all charges except possession of a pistol or revolver by a person under the age of 18; he was sentenced to a year, which he had already served.
Randall “Boots” Laye was found guilty of armed robbery and will be sentenced March 17.
Jurors will hear opening arguments in the Potts case at 9 a.m. Wednesday.