MACON, Ga. — A judge sentenced a Houston County man to 25 years in prison for killing a friend over a bag of marijuana. The sentencing came after a jury convicted Daniel Franz of Voluntary Manslaughter and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Marvin Wicker says he likes living at Tanglewood Apartments, but he remembers a time when crime struck his community.
District Attorney George Hartwig says Daniel Franz shot and killed Vincent Junior at the complex after Junior robbed him of a bag of marijuana in Jan., 2018.
"It's sad that it happened. I hate that it happened, but it's life," said Wicker.
Houston County Superior Court Chief Judge Edward Lukemire sentenced Franz on Wednesday.
Warner Robins Acting Police Chief John Wagner says the department believes Franz is still a suspect in two other killings that happened in the same month at a Chevron station and a Barberitos restaurant.
"Those cases are not put on the shelf by any means. It's still a work in progress and we will do everything we can to make sure those cases are brought to fruition," said Wagner.
Franz has not been charged in those other cases.
Wicker says crime has no address and he feels for the families who lost loved ones to senseless crime.
"Stuff like that happens every day. You just have to be aware and be safe," said Wicker.
Hartwig says the jury considered murder, malice murder, and other charges, but convicted Franz only on the lesser charge.