Detective in Wings Cafe killings hurt in motorcycle crash; trial postponed

The trial for three men accused in the 2014 fatal shootings at Macon’s Wings Cafe has been postponed after the lead case detective was involved in a traffic crash, according to the Bibb County District Attorney’s Office.

Sgt. Cedric Penson was driving his personal motorcycle on Mercer University Drive early Saturday morning when a car traveling in the opposite direction turned into his path, causing the crash, according to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

The other driver was charged with DUI and possession of marijuana. Penson is recovering from injuries he sustained in the crash, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Jury selection had been set to begin Monday in the trial for 31-year-old Tavarus Antwone Coney, 31-year-old Kenyata Norreece Lester and 40-year-old Vertuice Wall. Each man is charged with murder and other counts related to the shootout that left three men fatally injured Dec. 12, 2014.

Prosecutors have said members of the Blacc Team street gang, a division of the larger Gangster Disciples gang, traveled together to the Bloomfield Drive nightclub that was known to be a Crips gang hangout.

Together, the Blacc Team group went inside to confront a man who’d had past run-ins with the group.

A fight ensued that included people throwing punches, bottles and chairs.

Shots were fired, fatally injuring Corey Hollingshed, 25, George Henley, 34, and Derrick Jackson, 38. A woman was shot four times, but she survived.

Six men charged in the case have accepted plea bargains in the case.

It’s unclear when the trial for the remaining men may be rescheduled.

This story was originally published August 8, 2016 at 3:27 PM with the headline "Detective in Wings Cafe killings hurt in motorcycle crash; trial postponed."