The man who shot and killed up and coming Macon area Rap Artist Markese ‘Pain City’ Mahone was found guilty of murder and guilty of criminal attempt to commit a felony.

It took jurors four and a half hours of deliberation before announcing that Derrick Harvey was guilty of both counts before Liberty County Superior Court Judge Charles P. Rose.

Harvey will be sentenced during a hearing in about 30 days.

The trial started with opening statements Monday afternoon in Courtroom D of the Liberty County Justice Center. The state rested their case mid-day Tuesday. The defense rested after Harvey decided not to take the stand in his own defense. The jury began deliberations around 3 p.m.

Mahone was found dead by police officers at the Days Inn in Flemington off Highway 84 in October 2014.

Harvey and co-defendants Julous Mathenia and James Stumps were arrested and charged with the crimes within a day.

According to their testimony and their own written statements given to Liberty County Sheriff’s Office lead detective Julie Buttress, Mathenia drove Stumps and Harvey to the Days Inn knowing they intended to rob someone. He waited in his car while Harvey and Stumps walked toward the hotel.

Stumps testified saying it was Harvey who had the shot gun and eventually pulled the trigger killing Mahone.

Stumps and Mathenia had entered plea agreements in November and December respectively.

Buttress testified Harvey had willingly given his confession saying he didn’t intend to kill Mahone. Harvey’s written statement was presented at trial.

A full report will be in Sunday’s Coastal Courier.