In a quiet neighborhood in Hull, Georgia, the life of 19-year-old Corey Matthew Chatham was tragically cut short on the night of June 19, 2022. An African American male, Corey was a recent graduate of Madison County High School, where he had been a standout athlete on the basketball court. That evening, gunshots shattered the peace on Fenway Drive, and when deputies arrived, they found Corey severely wounded. He was rushed to a hospital in Athens but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The investigation pointed to a shooting that was potentially drug-related, a conclusion that would later be a focal point in the pursuit of justice.
The man responsible for Corey's death was identified as Anglow Antonio Walton, also 19 at the time and a resident of the same subdivision. It was revealed that Walton and Chatham were friends, a fact that made the violent act even more incomprehensible. In the wake of the shooting, Walton fled to Atlanta after hiding the AR-15 rifle he had used. However, he later surrendered to authorities in Fulton County and was transferred to the Madison County Jail to face the consequences of his actions. He was charged with a slate of offenses, including murder, aggravated assault, and the sale and distribution of marijuana.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by Chief Assistant District Attorney Jeff Lee, presented evidence that Walton had fired the rifle at a vehicle carrying other individuals. A bullet missed its intended target and tragically struck Corey as he was walking across a yard. Despite Walton's attorneys arguing that he acted in self-defense, the prosecution highlighted that he had not made this claim at the time of his arrest. In August, a Madison County Superior Court jury found Angelo Antonio Walton guilty on all 17 counts against him, which included Malice Murder and Felony Murder. Subsequently, he was sentenced to life in prison plus five years, with the possibility of parole after 30 years, bringing a measure of closure to a case that had deeply affected the community.
