Atlanta Woman Sheree Murphy Receives 5 Life Sentences For Ga. Motel Fire

Feb 1, 2012 - 18:29
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Atlanta Woman Sheree Murphy Receives 5 Life Sentences For Ga. Motel Fire
Sheree Murphy

A woman has received five life sentences for a 2007 fire at a Riverdale motel where five family members died.

The Atlanta Joual-Constitution reports (http://bit.ly/A9AdvQ ) that 45-year-old Sheree Murphy was found guilty by a jury in December of felony murder, arson and aggravated battery in the fire at the Budget Inn Motel in Riverdale. She was acquitted of malice murder.

Killed in the fire were 26-year-old Fred Colston, his 32-year-old girlfriend, Shikita Jones and two of her three children. Jones' uncle, Melvin Jones, also was killed in the fire and 10 people were injured.

Murphy lived at the motel at the time of the June 2007 fire. Prosecutors initially sought the death penalty but a deal was struck in which her attoeys opted for the possibility of life without parole.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.