Cobb Man Sentenced For Killing Another Man In Ex-Girlfriend's Apartment In Front Of Kids

COBB COUNTY, GA — A Cobb County man will spend the rest of his life in prison for using a machete to kill another man inside his ex-girlfriend's apartment — all while in front of five children, the Cobb County District Attorney's Office said.

Rendell Russell was found guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, cruelty to children in the third degree, theft by taking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on March 18.

He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus 10 years on Thursday. His charges stemmed from the Oct. 27, 2020 killing of Gregory James.

On that day, Russell went into his ex-girlfriend's apartment uninvited and was forced to leave, according to prosecutors. Shortly after, he used a key he had secretly kept and slipped back into the apartment — with a machete — and stabbed James, 26, who was in the apartment.

Russell stabbed James over 10 times with the machete, prosecutors said, and five children under the age of 18 were there. James died as a result of his injuries.

“This was a senseless and heinous murder. Gregory James will never see his son graduate elementary, middle, or high school, and no verdict will change that," Assistant District Attorney Larissa Ollivierre and ADA Erman Tanjuatco said in a news release. "Still, we are thankful that the jury’s verdict brings some form of closure to Mr. James’ family and friends. May he rest in peace.”