JONESBORO — The Clayton County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday the conviction of a man who was arrested in connection to a 2019 murder at the Oasis Event Center.
A Clayton County jury returned a guilty verdict for Jorge Beltran July 14 and sentencing was scheduled Tuesday, July 24.
According to information from the Clayton County DA’s Office, on Nov. 17, 2019, during a quinceañera at The Oasis Event Center on Jonesboro Road, Beltran started a verbal confrontation with the victim, Juan Perez Salazar.
During the trial, the state presented evidence which showed Perez Salazar repeatedly tried to keep the peace.
When Beltran pointed a handgun at Perez Salazar’s face, he swatted the gun away. Beltran would later punch Salazar in the face and a brief fist fight ensued.
While attendees of the quinceañera were trying to break up the fight, Beltran again pointed his gun at Perez Salazar’s face and he again swatted the gun away.
Beltran then aimed his gun lower and shot an unarmed Perez Salazar once in the lower chest area at close range, killing him. The entire incident was captured on surveillance video and Beltran was quickly identified as the shooter.
Despite video evidence showing Beltran as the initial aggressor in the incident, he attempted to claim that he shot an unarmed Perez Salazar in self defense.
Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Myers led the state’s case with Assistant District Attorney Rekiyah Baker serving as second chair.
Investigator Jennifer Langley, Victim Advocate Alona Johnson, as well as Legal Assistant Destiny Campbell played vital roles in the prosecution of this case.
Clayton County Superior Court Judge Jewel C. Scott presided over the trial.
“Once again we have removed a violent offender from our community and we hope this conviction brings comfort to the family of Juan Perez…
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