NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Newton County man who shot and killed the mother of his child and her husband in front of their daughter will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Marquez Smith was sentenced on Friday after he was convicted by a jury last month in the Sept. 2022 killing of his ex-wife and her husband during a custody exchange.
At the conclusion of Friday’s hearing, Judge Layla H. Zon sentenced Smith to two consecutive life without parole sentences plus 10 addition years in prison on firearms charges.
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Smith and Desiree Thomas had previously been in a relationship and had children together, including a then-15-year-old daughter. The DA’s office said the Thomas family went to Smith’s home on Pebble Lane in Covington to drop the children off.
While the Thomases and Smith and Mrs. Thomas’ daughter were in the car, Smith went to his car, got a gun, then went back to the Thomases’ car and shot and killed the couple in front of his own daughter.
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The Newton County District Attorney released the following statement after Smith’s sentencing:
“A custody exchange of children that the Defendant shared with Desiree made a horrific and tragic turn due to the decisions and actions of the Defendant. The Defendant killed two young adults in cold blood. His selfish actions mean that three children will grow up without their parents. Thankfully, Craig’s and Desiree’s families will be there for these kids while the Defendant spends the rest of his life in prison. While no result can undo the horrific acts of the Defendant, the hard work of the prosecution team, Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Wilkinson, Deputy Chief Investigator Jill Lumpkin, Victim Services Director Leslie Smith, Trial Assistant Ellen Bales, and Office Assistant Cami Odom, along with numerous with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office led to a verdict and sentence that brings a level of justice for Desiree and Craig. I am very proud of this office’s dedication to our community.”
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