Lawyer: Man robbed but didn't kill Forrest

ATLANTA, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- DeMario Ware robbed world champion welterweight and light-middleweight boxer Vernon Forrest but is innocent of murder, his lawyer said in an Atlanta courtroom.

Ware, one of three men charged with Forrest's July 25, 2009, homicide, is the first suspect to face trial in the boxer's shooting death.

Forrest, 38, was killed near a southwest Atlanta gas station in what began as an armed robbery as he was putting air in the tires of his black Jaguar.

Ware, 22, admitted to police he demanded at gunpoint Forrest give him his championship ring and diamond Rolex-brand watch, and then ran, opening statements from both sides alleged.

"He's going to take the stand and tell you he robbed Vernon Forrest," Ware attorney Michael Mann told jurors in Fulton County Superior Court. "But he is not responsible for the murder of Vernon Forrest."

After the robbery, Forrest, who was armed, ran after Ware and fired a shot but missed.

He gave up chase and, as he was walking back, was approached by Charman Sinkfield, who started talking with him and then allegedly shot Forrest in the back seven times with a .40-caliber Glock semi-automatic pistol, Fulton County Assistant District Attorney Tony Johnson said.

The gun was never found.

A third suspect, Jquante Crews, was the alleged getaway driver, picking up both Ware and Sinkfield and driving away, Johnson said.

Ware should be found guilty of murder for participating in the heist, which resulted in Forrest's death, Johnson told the jurors.

If convicted, Ware faces life in prison without parole.

Crews and Sinkfield are both awaiting trials.

Forrest, nicknamed "The Viper" because of his quickness, was a member of the U.S. team during the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. Favored to win a gold medal, he was stricken with food poisoning a day before his first-round bout and was beaten by Peter Richardson.

He returned home to Augusta, then moved to Las Vegas and made his professional debut Nov. 25, 1992.

He won two 2002 decisions over previously unbeaten World Boxing Council welterweight champion Shane Mosley. Forrest was 41-3 with 29 knockouts in his career.