Thursday, January 4, 2023–11:10 a.m.
-John Bailey, Rome-News Tribune-
The trial for a 32-year-old Rome man accused of shooting another man in the restroom of the Rome Civic Center during a Christmas party in 2022 is set to begin Monday.
Desmion Deaundre Diamond faces malice murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon charges stemming from the shooting death of Demond Glynn at the party.
On Wednesday, Floyd County Superior Court Chief Judge John “Jack” Niedrach denied a motion to push back that trial date and, earlier this week, denied a motion to block Diamond’s prosecution on a self-defense claim.
According to court records:
At the beginning of the party Diamond and Glynn, whose families have had bad blood in the past, were cordial. They’d been “hanging out, being cool, and drinking some beers and shots.”
Apparently, Diamond said something to Glynn’s girlfriend and Glynn physically confronted her in the parking lot about her interaction with Diamond. He then went back into the civic center and onto the dance floor, confronting Diamond.
They agreed to settle their differences in the bathroom and, once there, began arguing.
Diamond described the encounter in a Dec. 26, 2022 interview with Rome Police Department investigator Tony Yarbrough.
“I’m like chill out bro, but he keeps reaching. But when I felt something, I don’t know if it was a weapon or what, but he was reaching and coming at me aggressive. So (expletive), I quick draw McGraw, boom hit him,” Diamond told police. He shot at Glynn three times, according to the indictment.
Diamond also told police he’d brought the gun for protection after a member of Glynn’s family killed his younger brother Derricus Smith in May 2022.
Police suspect that, in fleeing the area, Diamond tossed the gun, which has not been found. He then turned himself in to police later that evening and was initially charged with aggravated assault among other crimes.
Glynn died as a result of his wounds in January 2023 and prosecutors indicted Diamond on murder charges.
The specially set trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, Jan. 8, in Floyd County Superior Court at 9 a.m.
