Man convicted of a toddler’s murder in Fort Valley learns his prison sentence
A man was sentenced to life after a jury convicted him of the shooting death of a 23-month-old child in Fort Valley’s Lakeview Apartments, according to the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
Christopher Miller was found guilty on Thursday of malice murder, felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Miller shot Marcus Ball Jr., who ended up dying after being shot in the head. Miller also shot Markailey Ball, a 1-year-old girl who was shot through her right arm, according to the district attorney’s office.
The shooting happened in July 2022.
Miller and other people fired numerous shots toward one of the buildings in the Lakeview Apartments after a dispute with someone who lived in that building, the district attorney’s office said. One of those rounds was fired into the children’s bedroom, injuring both babies while they were in the arms of their teenage sister.
Judge Ken Smith sentenced Miller Friday morning to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 25 years, the district attorney’s office said.
“The residents of Fort Valley deserve to live in safety, and we will continue to use every resource at our disposal and under the law to ensure that justice is served,” District Attorney Anita Howard said.
Success despite investigation issues
The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Taylor Wilson and Alveta Watkins, despite numerous challenges, the district attorney’s office said. Investigative issues led the district attorney’s office to “take on a substantially more active role” in the investigation. The challenges were not specified.
Prosecutors were met with reluctant or fearful witnesses who were difficult to locate and secure, officials said. Six of the officers who testified weren’t with the original investigating agency, and “two of the officers came as far as two hundred miles away to help achieve justice,” the district attorney’s office said.
“The reckless disregard for human life demonstrated in this case will not be tolerated in our communities,” Howard said.
This story was originally published May 2, 2025 at 1:58 PM.
