Griffin Defendant Sentenced To Life In Prison Without The Possibility Of Parole Followed By 85 Years In Prison

On January 30, 2026, a Spalding County jury convicted Kaomarion Lashaun Kendrick of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault (2x), Possession of a Firearm during Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Handgun by Person Under 18 years of Age, and Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act (3x). The Honorable Benjamin D. Coker of the Spalding County Superior Court sentenced the Defendant to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole followed by eighty-five years in prison. The State was represented by Chief Assistant District Attorney Kathryn Lenhard and Assistant District Attorney Wendy Carlyle along with the assistance of their team, Investigator Misty Gresham, Victim Advocate Maricarmen Dobson and Legal Assistant Adie Rivera. The Griffin Police Department investigated this case.

The State presented evidence that on the afternoon of September 30, 2023, following the rivalry football game between Griffin High School and Spalding High School, the victim, Emmanuel Dorsey, was fatally shot by the Defendant. The Defendant fled the scene and spent eight days on the run before being apprehended by the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office in Henry County, Georgia.

Acting District Attorney David Studdard said of the jury’s verdict – “I am incredibly proud of our office for bringing justice to this defendant and perhaps some degree of closure and comfort for Mr. Dorsey’s family. This case rocked our community and, today, a Spalding County jury, through their verdict, declared that we will not tolerate this type of lawlessness and violence. My personal message is that my office will relentlessly pursue those who commit violent crimes in our community and will bring them to justice.”