Local man convicted in slaying<br/> Man found guilty of shooting athlete in drug deal gone bad

Wednesday, March 12, 2008
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE - A Gwinnett jury convicted a Lawrenceville man late Monday of killing a former Central Gwinnett High School football player during a botched drug deal last year.

The jury convicted Cleondre Lamarr Lacey on a total of seven counts, including felony murder, aggravated assault, robbery and weapons possession charges, Assistant District Attorney David Keeton said.

The 20-year-old faces up to two life sentences plus 25 years, Keeton said.

Lacey fatally shot Kenneth Brett Cunningham, 17, during a marijuana deal gone bad in the teen's parents' Sundale Drive home in Lawrenceville last March. Lacey also shot and injured Cunningham's friend, Paul Theodore Mayhew.

Superior Court Judge Tom Davis will sentence Lacey - along with his co-defendant and admitted getaway driver, Stephanie Brianna Buskey, 21 - during a March 26 hearing.

Initially, Buskey was also charged with murder, but prosecutors lessened those charges when she agreed to testify against Lacey. She pleaded guilty to drug and robbery charges last month.

Buskey, a Tennessee resident, is expected to serve eight years in prison, Keeton said.

Police said Buskey drove the convicted shooter to the Lawrenceville home to steal marijuana.

Both Buskey and Lacey have remained without bond at the Gwinnett County Jail since last March.

Cunningham lettered in football and wrestling at Central Gwinnett. He was enrolled at the school until roughly a week before his death, friends said.

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