spalding man to spend 30 years in prison for home invasion

​Yesterday, a Spalding County jury convicted Lajayvayon Malek Johnson of Home Invasion, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Handgun by a Person under the age of 18, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Criminal Trespass, and Theft by Receiving a Stolen Firearm. The Honorable Scott Ballard sentenced Johnson to Life with the first 30 years to serve in prison. He will be banished from the Griffin Judicial Circuit upon his release from prison. Assistant District Attorneys Morgan Kendrick and Ashton Fallin prosecuted the case for the State.
 
Johnson was convicted of breaking a window and entering a home, with two other individuals. The three wore masks and were armed with a handgun. A child of the homeowner was present and hid in a locked bathroom from the gunmen. The defendant along with one of the co-defendants, Dyquavious Deshun Zellner, kicked in the bathroom door and pointed the handgun at the victim. They then took a watch and an IPhone and fled the residence. Police responded immediately and caught the defendant fleeing from the residence. The victim, along with members of the Griffin Police Department, testified at trial. One of these co-defendants has entered a guilty plea. Zellner’s case will be tried at a later date.
 
District Coker said of the result, “[t]hank you to the brave victim for her testimony, and to the members of the Griffin Police Department who responded quickly to the scene and thoroughly investigated this case. Each member of my Circuit should feel that his or her home is his or her sanctuary. For this reason, my offices have aggressively prosecuted home invaders and armed robbers since I took office. Together, with law enforcement, we will continue to doggedly pursue those that threaten your homes. Thank you to Morgan, Ashton, and my entire Spalding office for fighting the fight this week.”