GAINESVILLE - A Gainesville man was sentenced to life in prison Thursday night following his conviction by a Hall County jury on a felony murder charge in a 2014 crime.
Leshan Tremiele Tanner, 42, will serve a minimum of 30 years behind bars as part of the sentence, according to Hall County District Attorney Lee Darragh.
Authorities had alleged Tanner was involved in shooting the victim, Cedric Huff, after going to Huff's home to buy marijuana in June of 2014. It happened on West Avenue.
Tanner was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery and attempt to purchase marijuana, according to Hall County Superior Court documents.
"The jury made a good decision, considering all of the evidence, and the verdict fit very well the evidence as it was presented at trial," Darragh said.
Tanner was acquitted of two other felony murder counts and a robbery charge.
The co-defendent in the case, Rodnie Maurice Stokes, pleaded guilty last week to a reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter and was given a 40-year sentence, with 20 to serve behind bars.
Darragh said Tanner was offered a plea deal, but chose to go to trial.
"He rejected the opportunity to take responsibility and get sentenced to what would have been a lesser sentence," Darragh said.
Assistant District attorneys Juliet Aldridge and Jennifer Bagwell tried the case for the state.
