Conventionally, a serial killer is defined as someone who murders three or more people. Brittanica defines serial murder as the unlawful homicide of at least two people by the same person in separate events. Under either of those definitions, Edward Cherry qualifies.
He recently pled guilty to two murders in Georgia, and is facing more charges in Florida. Here's what we know:
What did Edward Cherry do?
According to a news release from the Clayton County District Attorney's Office, Cherry shot and killed Shakai Gordon on March 31, 2020 after befriending him on a dating app. Then on April 3 of that same year, he shot and killed Lydia Tate Foran and left her body in a church parking lot.
Cherry later got into a high-speed chase with College Park Police officers where he reportedly shot and wounded one of the officers before being apprehended. While in custody, Cherry stabbed and murdered Leonard Fortner for which he was convicted in Fulton County. An investigation led officers to discovering a cell phone where Cherry bragged about killing his first victim due to his sexual orientation.
Cherry is also accused of committing two more murders in Florida and could soon be extradited there. If convicted of those, it would bring his official total up to five homicides.
What was Edward Cherry's sentence?
Cherry took a plea agreement and was sentenced in Clayton County Superior Court to life plus 10 years. Regarding the Florida cases, prosecutors told WSB-TV that this gives authorities there an opportunity to seek the death penalty.
What did Edward Cherry say?
WSB-TV sat down with Cherry in jail where he was asked what he thought about being called a serial killer.
"I don’t think I’m a serial killer," he said. "I just think in situations; I just do what I got to do. That’s it. I’m always … I’m put in situations and I’m just the one who shoots first."
Clayton County District Attorney Tasha Mosley called Cherry "cold-hearted serial killer" and Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Jacqueline Broadnax said "I’ve never seen anybody as cold, as heartless, as Edward Cherry."
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Alleged serial killer guilty of 2 GA murders, 2 more cases coming in FL
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