09/03/2026
Defendant Found Guilty of Malice Murder
On September 1st, a Douglas County Jury rendered a guilty verdict against thirty-seven-year-old Karlton Marquavious Sirmons for the charges of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, and additional numerous counts including cruelty to children.
On November 2, 2024, officers responded to reports of gunfire at the Douglas County home of Tavarus Joiner and his longtime girlfriend Krisna Chea. They lived at the residence with their two young children. Karlton Sirmons was the former boyfriend of Jacquenette Joiner, Tavarus’s cousin. Jacquenette was temporarily staying with Tavarus and Krisna to get away from Sirmons and his abuse
Officers entered the residence and discovered multiple people suffering from gunshot wounds, including Tavarus Joiner, who was fatally shot. Despite being seriously injured, the surviving victims told police that they had been attacked by Karlton "Kurt” Sirmons.
On the day of the shooting, Sirmons came to the home and kicked in the front door. Once inside Sirmons began to attack Jacquenette. When Tavarus came to check on Jacquenette, Sirmons shot Tavarus in the chest. Sirmons attempted to shoot Jacquenette, but the gun jammed, and she fled upstairs. Sirmons pursued Jacquenette into the master bedroom where Tavarus was lying on the floor and Krisna was attempting to call 911. Sirmons shot Tavarus in the back and then turned his attention to Krisna. Sirmons shot Krisna in the leg, terminated the 911 call she was attempting to make, and then attempted to shoot her again this time in the face. Again, the gun jammed and Sirmons then struck Krisna in the head with the gun.
In the same bedroom Krisna’s and Tavarus’s two young children were hiding under the covers of the bed. One of the children emerged from under the covers and jumped into Jacquenette’s arms. Sirmons pistol whipped Jacquenette and the child. Jacquenette then escaped to a guest bathroom and barricaded herself inside. Sirmons followed her and was able to break through the bottom half of the door. Sirmons then shot Jacquenette through the door, ultimately striking her eight times.
The assault only stopped when Sirmons ran out of bullets and fled the scene. Also present in the home were an autistic adult family member and the oldest child of Chea. The Villa Rica police worked quickly to identify the defendant and his vehicle. Through the efforts of the Villa Rica Police Department and the Cobb County Police Department, they were able to locate and arrest the defendant two hours later in Cobb County
Jacquenette Joiner and Krisna Chea were sent to Grady Hospital and ultimately recovered from their injuries. Both women testified against Sirmons at trial.
District Attorney Dalia Racine stated, “Tavarus Joiner’s life was taken in an act of violence that devastated the adults and children gathered in a family home. While no verdict can restore his life or undo the harm suffered, the jury’s decision holds the defendant accountable. We know the healing continues for the Joiner and Chea family and all those affected. We hope that this verdict is helpful for that process. We thank our prosecution team and investigative partners for their commitment to seeking justice in this case.”
After the jury rendered their verdict, Superior Court Judge Deah B Warren sentenced Sirmons to life without the possibility of parole based on the facts of this case and his criminal history.
The trial team included Chief Assistant District Attorney Kevin McMurry and Senior Assistant District Attorney Nelly Ndounteng. Villa Rica Police Department Officer Matthew Weingarten served as the lead law enforcement on this case. Superior Court Judge Deah B. Warren presided over the trial.
