Woman sentenced in 2023 stabbing death of Macon teen

The district attorney’s office says Zanaria Rashada pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 20 years, with 15 years in prison

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A young woman has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty in connection with the 2023 stabbing death of 16-year-old Gregory Smith in Bibb County.

The Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office says Zanaria Rashada pleaded guilty Wednesday in Bibb County Superior Court to voluntary manslaughter.

Rashada was sentenced to 20 years, with the first 15 years to be served in prison, according to the district attorney’s office.

The case stems from a March 23, 2023, confrontation behind a Bibb County apartment complex.

According to the district attorney’s office, a group of teenagers gathered to settle an ongoing personal dispute. Prosecutors say some members of the group walked away, but Rashada and Smith remained.

The district attorney’s office says Smith swung at Rashada during a heated exchange, and Rashada swung a knife, stabbing Smith once in the chest.

Smith died from his injuries.

Prosecutors say Rashada had been in custody since the day of the stabbing.

The district attorney’s office says voluntary manslaughter was determined to be the most appropriate charge after a review of the facts, evidence and applicable law.

Smith’s grandmother delivered a victim impact statement, calling the crime stupid and senseless and saying she regularly visits her grandson’s grave.

“A grandmother visits her grandson’s grave,” District Attorney Anita Howard said. “That is the real consequence of this kind of senseless violence. Our office took every factor into account in pursuing justice in this case. I believe a just criminal justice system can hold young people accountable for the harm they cause without throwing them away, and that is exactly what we did here.”