District Attorney Keith Higgins announces that Ricky Darrell Morrow, 58, of Brunswick, was found guilty of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony following a criminal jury trial that began on September 19, 2022, in Glynn County Superior Court.
On the night of Monday, September 27, 2021, the victim, Michael Allen Propes, 23, of Waycross, GA, and a friend were at the home of Ricky Darrell Morrow on Blythe Island in Glynn County. Morrow, who knew Propes, had invited Propes and his friend to his home to socialize. They were there for about an hour when Morrow indicated to Propes that he was ready to do a shot of methamphetamine which Propes had apparently bought earlier with $100 that Morrow had given him. All three were methamphetamine addicts. Morrow gave Propes’ friend a syringe to prepare a shot of methamphetamine for himself. Morrow then became upset that there should be more methamphetamine than what Propes produced. Propes insisted that was it and he had not shortchanged Morrow. Morrow then walked to another room and returned with a revolver. He again questioned Propes about the quantity of drugs, saying “don’t do me like this.” He then shot Propes in the back one time. The bullet struck Propes in the heart and a lung and he died on scene soon afterwards.
Morrow told Propes’ friend and responding officers that it was an accident and he didn’t mean to shoot Propes; but he never explained how it was an accident. Morrow refused to make a statement to the investigators from the Glynn County Police Department, and he declined to testify at trial.
In his closing argument, Chief Assistant District Attorney Nigel Lush told the jury that this was another example of the tragedy of drug addiction and how guns and drugs don’t mix. “Propes paid the ultimate price for his addiction and Morrow needed to be held responsible for his.” The jury deliberated for 2 hours before returning the guilty verdicts.
Following the jury verdict on September 21, 2022, Superior Court Judge Roger B. Lane sentenced Morrow to life in prison with the possibility of parole plus an additional 5 years in prison for the gun charge. In Georgia, life with the possibility of parole means a person must serve 30 years before becoming eligible for parole. As such, Morrow will be 87 years old when he becomes eligible.
Members of the media with further questions may contact the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office at 912-554-7200
