MACON, Ga. — A Macon man is facing 20 years in prison after shooting his brother in a heated argument.
23-year-old James L. Card pleaded guilty on Monday to charges of Voluntary Manslaughter and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in the death of Marquez Card.
In a release by District Attorney Anita Howard's office, they said the trial for the case was slated to begin the week of Dec. 4.
The shooting took place on July 7, 2021. The D.A.'s office says James and Marquez went to a house on Dewey Street where a third brother, Deondre, was.
James argued with Deondre, and Marquez tried to calm the situation and get James to leave. Instead, James pulled out a gun and shot Marquez two times.
He also shot at Deondre. James fled the scene, and Marquez died.
James was arrested a few days later, on July 21, after family members identified where he was hiding. When James was interviewed by investigators, he claimed the shooting was in self-defense because Marquez had a weapon.
"The actions of James Card, as a son and a brother, have tragically resulted in a double loss for this family. Because of an unthinking moment with a firearm, one brother is dead at the hands of another. One son is no longer a part of the family, and the other son will spend many years of his young life away from that same family. My prayers are with this grieving family as they struggle to find a way to heal from this senseless violence," said Howard.
The Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office thanked the Bibb County Sheriff's Office for helping bring justice and closure to the family.