Man who killed former friend in Cobb County sentenced 

A Cobb County man, Jamari Christmas, who killed his former friend was sentenced to nearly two decades in prison, officials announced Tuesday.

The Cobb County District Attorney’s Office said Christmas, 21, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in the 2021 death of Majik Broussard.

Superior Court Judge Jason Marbutt sentenced Christmas to 18 years in prison, followed by seven years on probation. “You owe it to Majik, his family and to yourself to make something of your life,” Marbutt told Christmas after accepting the guilty plea.

According to the D.A.’s office, Christmas and the 18-year-old victim had a falling out prior to the shooting on Dec. 22, 2021. On that day, officers were called to an area of George Busbee Parkway and found Broussard on the ground. The victim was taken to a hospital, but died from his injuries.

Christmas stayed at the scene and explained to officers that, due to a dispute a few weeks prior to the shooting, he believed Broussard wanted to fight him again and that he was not interested in fighting. Officials said Christmas produced a handgun and shot Broussard in the torso and leg.

Christmas apologized to Broussard’s family during the plea hearing after they spoke about the impact his death had on their lives.