Murder convictions in death of home invasion victim who jumped from balcony

ATLANTA - Two men charged with murder in the death of a man who jumped from an apartment balcony to escape a home invasion will spend their rest of their lives in prison.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shukura Ingram Millender handed down the sentences Tuesday after a jury convicted 23-year-old Mark Spencer and 22-year-old Lil’ Che Stafford.

Prosecutors argued Spencer and Stafford forcibly entered the apartment of 51-year-old Jose Greer on Oak Street in southwest Atlanta on December 8th, 2015.

As the two tried to pry the door open, Greer stood on the balcony of his third-story apartment and called Atlanta Police 911.

Greer jumped from his balcony to try to escape the invaders but suffered critical injuries when he hit the ground.

According to prosecutors, Spencer, Stafford and 23-year-old Frederick Clark ransacked the residence while Greer was dying on the ground, and stole several items including the victim’s debit card and identification.

Investigators says as the three men fled the apartment, Greer asked them for help but they stepped over him to get into their getaway car.

An Atlanta Police officer found Greer laying on the sidewalk. He died of his injuries the next day.

The day after the crime, prosecutors say Stafford and one of the people allegedly in the getaway vehicle, 18-year-old Vas Coleman, tried to sell Greer’s belongings including his debit card, laptop, and iPhone.

The Fulton County jury convicted Spencer and Stafford of felony murder and 1st degree burglary, and both received life in prison sentences.

Clark, Coleman, and the second person allegedly in the getaway vehicle, 22-year-old Maxx

Pritchett, will be tried at a later date.

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