Judge sentences Macon man to life in prison for murder

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A judge sentenced a Macon man to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Jim Julian Baldwin II on Friday.

This comes a day after Bibb County jurors found 27-year-old Tirell Mitchell guilty of the 2018 shooting death of Baldwin.

A Bibb County Superior Court jury found Mitchell guilty of the following: 

• malice murder
• felony murder
• aggravated assault
• possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony 

The judge also sentenced Mitchell to an additional five years in prison, consecutive to the life sentence for the gun charge.

Prosecutors’ evidence

According to a news release from district attorney David Cooke’s office, prosecutors presented the following evidence:

• Witnesses testified that Mitchell’s girlfriend was at a relative’s home on Berkner Avenue on the night of April 13, 2018. The girlfriend and Mitchell argued earlier that day. 
• Later that night, Mitchell arrived and found her at the house with 44-year-old Baldwin along with some friends. An argument ensued as people in the house told Mitchell to leave.
• Witnesses said Mitchell refused to leave or to allow Baldwin to leave. Baldwin and Mitchell got into a physical fight. Then Mitchell shot Baldwin in the leg.
• After being shot, Baldwin ran to his sister’s house on Saint Claire Street. 
• Baldwin collapsed at the driveway entrance. 
• Bibb County deputies and an ambulance crew arrived at the scene around 1 a.m. on April 14, 2018. 
• Baldwin died at a local hospital shortly after his arrival.