Augusta, GA
Augustan convicted of beating mom’s 61-year-old boyfriend to death
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A suspect has been convicted of beating an older man to death and leaving him to die in 2019, according to District Attorney Jared Williams.
The defendant, Andrez Kirkland, 38, of Augusta, was convicted by a jury of his peers this week after a trial that began March 4 and ended late Monday.
The victim, Gary Stringer, 61, of Augusta, was dating the defendant’s mother and allowed the defendant to move in with him a few months earlier.
The victim had gone out to celebrate his birthday on Jan. 19, 2019.
He returned to his home, an argument ensued, and he told the defendant and his family to leave.
Instead, the defendant viciously beat the victim, shattering his jaw, knocking teeth loose, fracturing his skull and causing massive internal bleeding, according to prosecutors.
The defendant and his family tried to cover up this murder, telling police and even the victim’s family that this occurred during a break-in, according to Williams.
While Richmond County investigators interviewed the defendant, they noticed he had swelling and cuts to his hands, consistent with having punched something repeatedly. That led them to suspect him.
Most witnesses in the case were related to the defendant, many of whom changed their statements from the time of the incident to trial, according to Williams.
The case hinged upon the testimony of the defendant’s son, a child who was 5 years old at the time.
The child, now 10, admitted to being coached by his family to change his story at trial to “say the words that would set my daddy free.”
“The jury was able to see the truth through the lies, and found the verdict that spoke justice for the victim and his family,” Williams said in a statement.
Essential to uncovering the truth was the surveillance video from across the street, where a neighbor’s cameras recorded all the comings and goings in the aftermath of the killing.
After prosecutors gave closing arguments, the jury found the defendant guilty of malice murder and felony murder.
Kirkland was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
“Gary Stringer turned 61 just a few hours before his death,” Assistant District Attorney Keagan Waystack said after the trial. “What a terrible birthday present: a brutal beating by a coward half his age.”
Williams said:
“I am grateful for this jury who represented our community so well in its dedication in finding the truth.”
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Georgia Gubernational candidate Geoff Duncan made another appearance in Augusta on Monday, speaking at the IBEW Local 1579 on Reynolds Street.
Duncan is one of the three candidates vying for the Democratic nomination. Duncan said when he served as lieutenant governor of the state, he fought to expand access to health care in rural communities. He said if he’s elected, he’ll focus on lowering costs in other areas.
Duncan stopped by NewsChannel 6 ahead of the campaign stop to speak about his plans.
“Look, 90% of Georgians know what they’re talking about when they want to pass commonsense gun legislation like universal background checks, red flag laws, and in-home safe storage laws. As governor, I want to lead the charge, and I want to give political cover to those Republicans that want to do the right thing, build those consensus around those bills,” Duncan said. “I hope to get some of them the cosign that legislation. Because it meets people where they’re at. It’s common sense. Look, I don’t want anybody to ever walk by a television screen and make another excuse for a mass shooting when it could have been stopped. With just common sense laws that are on the books.”
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Golden Harvest Food Bank is partnering with local legal organizations for the 15th Annual Georgia Food Frenzy.
The fundraising competition is held in partnership with Feeding Georgia, the Office of the Georgia Attorney General, the State Bar of Georgia, and the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia.
The two-week competition runs from April 20th through May 1st, and every dollar raised stays local, supporting Golden Harvest’s work across the state of Georgia.
Groups can register at www.galegalfoodfrenzy.org/sign-up, and registration will remain open throughout the competition.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Georgia gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan campaigned in Augusta ahead of Election Day, making stops at two churches and meeting with local faith leaders.
The former lieutenant governor visited Good Hope Baptist Church on Cedar Street, where he spoke with the Greater Augusta Interfaith Coalition’s “Music to the Polls” group.
Duncan told us that, if elected governor, he wants to expand Medicaid, pass what he called “common-sense gun legislation,” and create more economic opportunities statewide. He also pointed to affordability concerns impacting families and businesses.
“I want to take $1.7 billion of our state’s fund and wrap it around the axle of poverty,” Duncan said, adding that he wants to lower child care costs and improve temporary assistance programs.
Duncan also stopped at Miles Memorial Church on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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