A good deed turned into a nightmare—and now, years later, justice has finally been served.
A Georgia jury has convicted Ryan Anson Carter, 41, for the 2020 killing of Jamaal Cobb, a 29-year-old man who had simply tried to help him when he was stranded.
According to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office, the tragic chain of events began on August 23, 2020, when Carter was left at a gas station in Atlanta after an argument with his girlfriend.
That’s when Cobb stepped in.
Investigators say Cobb allowed Carter to use his phone to call the woman—and then even went a step further, offering him a ride. He drove Carter roughly 15 miles to Lithonia Park, near where the girlfriend lived.
But what happened next shocked even seasoned investigators.
Just after 7 a.m., authorities say Carter pulled out a gun and shot Cobb, killing him. He then stole Cobb’s car and drove off, later dumping the victim’s phone miles away in Lilburn.
Cobb’s body was discovered later that morning by a woman walking her dog. She found him lying in a pool of blood on a basketball court.
Police were eventually able to track Carter using the stolen vehicle, along with a firearm recovered during the investigation.
Cobb’s death devastated those who knew him.
According to his obituary, he was a high school honor student who went on to study communications in college. He loved writing, traveling, and dreamed of exploring the world.
“To have known Jamaal was to love Jamaal,” the tribute read. “His smile could melt the coldest heart.”
After a trial, Carter was found guilty on multiple charges, including malice murder, felony murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault, and several firearm offenses.
He has now been sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison, plus an additional five years.