STAFF REPORT :::
A Spalding County jury on Thursday convicted Lajayvayon Malek Johnson on numerous charges related to a violent home invasion.
Having been convicted of home invasion, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person under the age of 18, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, criminal trespass and theft by receiving a stolen handgun, Griffin Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Scott Ballard sentenced Johnson to life with the first 30 years to be served in prison. Upon his release from prison, Johnson will be banished from the circuit, which includes Spalding, Pike, Upson and Fayette counties.
Assistant District Attorneys Morgan Kendrick and Ashton Fallin prosecuted the case for the state.
According to the Spalding County District Attorney’s Office, Johnson was convicted of breaking a window and entering a home with two additional individuals. The three wore masks and were armed with a handgun.
A child of the homeowner was present and hid from the gunmen in a locked bathroom.
Officials say Johnson and co-defendant Dyquavious Deshun Zellner kicked in the bathroom door, pointed a handgun at the victim and then took a watch and iPhone before fleeing the residence.
Officers of the Griffin Police Department responded immediately and apprehended Johnson fleeing from the home.
The victim, along with law enforcement officers, testified at trial.
A second co-defendant has entered a guilty plea, and Zellner’s case will be tried at a later date.
“Thank 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,” said District Attorney Ben Coker. “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.”
The GRIP 
Why are there no pictures of these fine citizens?
Press releases issued by the District Attorney’s Office don’t routinely include mug shots.
Kudos to this Judicial system, If people are not allowed to protect their homes and property, than the police better be on the spot. I would say if the police are alerted to a crime in progress, they should be there within seven minutes, or the owners are justified in arming themselves for protection.