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Guilty Verdict Reached in Lilburn Murder Over Rumors

(Lawrenceville, Ga., 4/23/25) – A Lilburn man was convicted of murder for fatally shooting a neighbor after the victim confronted the defendant for making up rumors.

Marquel Akeem Williams, 33, was found guilty of malice murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault for the September 2020 shooting death of 26-year-old Stanislas Alverna. The defendant was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

“Stanislas Alvera was merely trying to communicate with the defendant in an attempt to resolve a verbal dispute,” Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “This defendant, however, responded with violence. Mr. Alvera’s family and loved ones should find some comfort in knowing this defendant will be held accountable, and we hope that helps Mr. Alverna’s family find some closure and healing.”

The defendant made unfounded allegations against Alverna and others that impacted several of his neighbors living at the Home Stay Suites in Lilburn. On Sept. 9, 2020, a “meeting” was held in the parking lot with Williams, Alverna, and other people who were subjects of the rumors.

The defendant was known to carry a gun, and Alverna was known for being unarmed. When Alverna approached and asked why the rumors were started, Williams drew his handgun and shot Alverna five times. Williams’ gun was specifically loaded with “R.I.P.” bullets, which fragment on contact to cause more damage. Alverna was shot five times. The shots hit his finger, his chest, his abdomen, his side and the last shot was in his back. Williams fled the scene. He threw the gun in a wooded area, shaved his head, got different clothing, and disappeared for four days.  The gun was found by someone at the hotel and turned over to Alverna’s family who then turned it over to police.    Williams, having vastly changed his appearance, turned himself in to police days later.

During trial, ballistic evidence matched the handgun with the shells police found at the crime scene. A jury returned the guilty verdicts within two hours of beginning deliberations.

Managing Assistant District Attorney Marlene Oldeen and Assistant District Attorney Jared Lee prosecuted the case. DA’s Investigators Shayla LaCosta and Germaine Johnson, and Victim Witness Advocate Korinne Haskins provide crucial assistance in closing the case. The Gwinnett County Police Department, the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigations were invaluable to the case.

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