Convicted murderer who fled DeKalb courthouse sentenced

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - A man who walked out of the DeKalb County courthouse just before a jury convicted him of murder faced a judge Tuesday.

Taiquan Mitchell, 24, was sentenced to life in prison plus 40 years for breaking into the home of Marcus Waters in the January 2014 and shooting him dead.

RELATED: Convicted murderer back in custody after leaving DeKalb courthouse

Mitchell had been free on $125,000 bond during the trial. Before the jury announced their verdict last week, police said Mitchell excused himself from the courtroom.

Authorities determined that he had cut off the ankle monitor. Deputies tracked Mitchell down in South Carolina.

Mitchell told DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Asha Jackson that he was scared and wanted to see his grandmother in North Carolina one last time.

Mitchell and Deon Dorsey were each found guilty of malice murder, aggravated assault, first-degree burglary, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, four counts of felony murder, two counts of criminal attempt to commit a felony for the break-and-entry shoot-out that left Waters dead on the bathroom floor of his apartment.

His co-defendant Dorsey was not able to pay the 10-percent bond amount to be released on bond.