In the quiet suburbs of Norcross, Georgia, a tragedy unfolded that cut short the life of 26-year-old Chessington Morgan Marshall. On the night of February 2, 2018, law enforcement received a distressing 911 call from a man who confessed to shooting his girlfriend. The caller was identified as 23-year-old John David Briggs, Marshall's live-in boyfriend.
Upon their arrival at the Estates Court apartment the couple shared, officers discovered a grim scene. Chessington Marshall was found deceased in the bathroom, having sustained gunshot wounds. Briggs was taken into custody at the scene without any initial resistance. The events of that evening, however, took a bizarre turn. While awaiting the arrival of homicide detectives, Briggs requested medical attention for an unspecified complaint. It was during this time that he managed to escape from police custody, despite being handcuffed.
A manhunt immediately ensued, involving numerous officers, a K-9 unit, and a helicopter from the DeKalb County Police Department. The search for the fugitive suspect was extensive but brief. A little after midnight, an officer on his way to an unrelated call spotted Briggs near the intersection of Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Interstate 85. After a short foot pursuit, Briggs was apprehended once again, still in handcuffs.
Following his recapture, John David Briggs was charged with felony murder and aggravated assault in connection with the death of Chessington Marshall. He was subsequently booked into jail to face the legal consequences of the tragic and violent end to a young woman's life.
