Two men charged in Augusta slaying

AUGUSTA - Two men described as career criminals were charged Wednesday in the death of an Augusta man shot in front of customers at a Citgo gas station. <br> <br> John V. Lawton Jr., 33, and Charles ``Cho Cho&#39;&#39; Hankerson, 48, both of Augusta, were each charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. <br> <br> Lawton is accused of repeatedly shooting Marcus DeWayne Taylor, 28, after an argument Sunday at a Citgo gas station. Police said the shooting was premeditated, and the victim&#39;s father said it may have been retaliation for his son&#39;s testimony in a murder trial two years ago. <br> <br> Maj. Ken Autry of the Richmond County Sheriff&#39;s Office said he could not confirm whether the killing stemmed from revenge. Hankerson is accused of participating in the slaying, but police did not say how. <br> <br> ``We&#39;re going to wait until we get all the evidence needed to support our contention. Then, and only then, will we discuss motive,&#39;&#39; Autry said. <br> <br> Officials said Lawton, who was paroled in 1999, spent eight years in prison on attempted armed robbery and aggravated assault charges. <br> <br> Hankerson has been in and out of prison since 1974 for drug offenses and violent crimes including kidnapping, aggravated assault and firearms possession, police said. <br> <br> Taylor also served time in prison. He was paroled in May after serving two years for cocaine possession.