Three members of the local ‘Jack Boys’ gang accused of a deadly crime spree that terrorized the Atlanta community for more than a month, back in 2010, have now been convicted.
Fulton County jurors returned guilty verdicts Thursday afternoon against gang leader Tamario Wise, 19; Robert Veal, 18; and Fernandez Whatley, 21. The men were charged with a variety of crimes outlined in a 90 count indictment including murder (Wise and Veal), armed robbery , aggravated assault, rape (Wise and Veal), kidnapping, participation in criminal street gang activity, weapons charges and a host of other offenses in connection with the November 2010 murder of 39-year-old Charles Boyer, in Virginia Highland, and the rape of a Grant Park woman.
The trio’s crimes spanned from October 19, 2010 through November 27, 2010. In addition to murder and rape, the crime wave included 17 armed robberies and six carjackings—impacting residents in Virginia Highland, Grant Park, Ormewood Park, Lakewood Heights, Old Fourth Ward and Benteen Park as outlined below.
Boyer was killed during the height of the crime spree on November 22, 2010. Tamario Wise, Robert Veal and Raphael Cross, an indicted co-defendant who testified at trial, approached Charles Boyer and his girlfriend, Lisa McGraw, outside of the victim’s Virginia Avenue apartment. The defendants demanded the victim’s money and belongings. Once he complied, the robbers then tried to force the couple inside of the apartment. Mr. Boyer fought back and then began to runaway giving his girlfriend a chance to escape. Tamario Wise shot and killed the fleeing man, then escaped with his accomplices.
Hours later, Wise, Veal and Cross then traveled to the Grant Park area, stormed into a home and tied up a woman, her boyfriend and another male. Wise and Veal then raped the woman and fled the area.
Following that rape, Wise led the Jack Boys gang in several other armed robberies before eventually being captured on November 27, 2010.
The defendants will be sentenced at a later date. Tamario Wise is facing as many as 14 life sentences plus, 460-years in prison. Robert Veal could be sentenced to as many as eight life sentences plus, 140-years in prison, while Fernandez Whatley, who was not charged with murder or rape, could face a maximum of 90 years in prison.
Trial is pending for co-defendant Raphael Cross. Two other defendants indicted on robbery charges entered guilty pleas in advance of trial.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Todd Markle presided over the case.
