Attorney General Chris Carr announced that Rodderick Glanton, Homer Upshaw, and Terrance Upshaw have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 17-year-old Jesse Ransom and 18-year-old Saiveon Pugh and the assault of two other teens. The defendants are members of the Marlo Gang, a hybrid criminal street gang in Columbus. In June 2021, they opened fire on a vehicle as it drove past a home located across the street from the Wilson Apartment complex. All four teens were inside the car and sustained gunshot wounds. Ransom and Pugh died as a result of their injuries. In all, investigators found over 60 shell casings on-scene and no evidence of gun fire from the victim vehicle. A Muscogee County Jury found the defendants guilty on all 24 counts of the indictment on Nov. 14, 2023, following an 11-day trial.
“These defendants opened fire on four teens for no legitimate reason,” said Carr. “They endangered the lives of every man, woman and child who reside in Wilson, including two toddlers who took cover in a bathtub as bullets struck the surrounding homes. This was an execution that could have resulted in even more tragedy, and the sentences should send a strong message to any other gang member who thinks they can operate without consequence.”
This case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Cara Convery, who leads Carr’s Gang Prosecution Unit, and Assistant Attorney General McKenzie Gray. It was investigated by the Columbus Police Department, the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) Gang Task Force.
“The lengthy prison terms to which these defendants were sentenced holds them accountable for their senseless acts of violence,” said Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis. “We will remain steadfast in our commitment to dismantling criminal gang activity and ensuring justice for victims.”
“There is not a place or space in the State of Georgia where we can allow gang motivated crimes to take up residency. Not on our watch,” said Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman. “We must stay the course and work to continue to interrupt criminal activity from members of gangs at every level. Therefore, ensuring our citizens have a better quality of life, free from gun violence.”
“Criminal street gangs terrorize Georgia communities through their violent and senseless acts,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “The outcome of this case is a testament to the dedication of the GBI’s Gang Task Force and our commitment to working alongside the Georgia Attorney General’s Office and our local and state partners to disrupt these criminal networks and make our communities safe.”
Sentencing
The defendants were sentenced by Muscogee County Superior Court Judge Gil McBride on Nov. 29, 2023.
Rodderick Glanton, 28, of Columbus, was sentenced to life in prison, plus 25 years. The defendant was previously found guilty of the following charges.
- 2 counts of Malice Murder
- 2 counts of Felony Murder
- 4 counts of Aggravated Assault
- 6 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
- 3 counts of Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree
- 1 count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Homer Upshaw, 28, of Columbus, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 25 years. The defendant was previously found guilty of the following charges.
- 2 counts of Malice Murder
- 4 counts of Felony Murder
- 4 counts of Aggravated Assault
- 8 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
- 3 counts of Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree
- 1 count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
- 1 count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
- 1 count of Trafficking in Marijuana
Terrance Upshaw, 31, of Columbus, was sentenced to life in prison, plus 25 years. The defendant was previously found guilty of the following charges.
- 2 counts of Malice Murder
- 2 counts of Felony Murder
- 4 counts of Aggravated Assault
- 6 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
- 3 counts of Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree
- 1 count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Case Summary
On June 14, 2021, at approximately 10 p.m., officers with the Columbus Police Department’s Homicide Unit were dispatched to the scene of a shooting in the Wilson Apartment complex. Once they arrived, officers located two damaged vehicles, including one small silver sedan with four victims inside. All four victims had sustained gunshot wounds.
Surveillance cameras in the Wilson Apartment complex showed a small silver sedan driven by 17-year-old Jesse Ransom as it rides past a home located across the street multiple times. The home was occupied by the defendants – Rodderick Glanton, Homer Upshaw and Terrance Upshaw.
Immediately after the first pass, the defendants appeared to take notice of the victim’s car.
On the third pass, the defendants set up in shooting positions.
On the fourth pass, Rodderick Glanton, Homer Upshaw and Terrance Upshaw opened fire on the vehicle.
The defendants continued firing even after the car wrecked and multiple victims were clearly struck. Gunfire spilled out into the rest of the community and damaged other vehicles and units in the complex.
Jesse Ransom and Saiveon Pugh, who was 18 years old and seated behind Ransom, were both killed as a result of the shooting.
The front-seat passenger, a 16-year-old male, required medical attention but could walk on scene. An 18-year-old male, who was seated behind him, was transported to the hospital and ultimately survived his injuries.
The defendants are members of the Marlo Gang, which is associated with US World, a powerful hybrid criminal street gang in Columbus, Georgia. US World is comprised of other national gang affiliates, including the Gangster Disciples and some Crips, and it has absorbed other hybrid gangs, such as the Lime Green Money Gang.
The victims were associated with Zohannon, a hybrid criminal street gang with current, active conflicts with multiple groups, including US World.
This case was indicted by the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit on Oct. 25, 2022.
Stephan R Richardson
December 30, 2023 at 8:52 am
Why not the death penalty