ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Three men who were found guilty in connection to the 2024 shooting death of a Dougherty County man were sentenced Thursday, April 16.

A Dougherty County judge sentenced Jason Gaines, Malik Frazier and Janarrian Oliver to life in prison with the possibility of parole, plus five years, on Thursday.

This is in reference to the fatal shooting where Markel Harper, 29, was gunned down on Radium Springs Road. A passenger of the vehicle was also shot.

According to District Attorney Greg Edwards, the three were found guilty on March 13 of the following:

Jason Gaines:

• Felony murder
• Malice murder
• Aggravated Assault (2 counts)
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime (2 counts)
• Tampering with evidence - Felony

Malik Frazier:

• Felony murder
• Malice murder
• Aggravated Assault (2 counts)
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime (2 counts)
• Tampering with evidence - Felony

Janarrian Oliver:

• Felony murder
• Aggravated Assault (2 counts)
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime (2 counts)
• Tampering with evidence - Felony

According to DA Edwards, the verdict in this instance was appropriate as the evidence was overwhelming. He said the defendants observed, chased and attacked the vehicle that Harper was in, while looking for Harper’s brother on a gang-affiliated mission.

“This case was based upon the legal principle of being a party to a crime. Even if you don’t have an intent to be involved in everything, you can still be held responsible for the acts of all parties involved in the crime. 

Be careful who you associate with, and how you associate with people."

At the time of the shooting, Oliver was 16 years old, officials said, but he was charged in this case as an adult. Oliver was the only person who was not charged with malice murder, DA Edwards said.

Two others were charged over the course of this case, but their charges were dismissed during this trial.

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