A Georgia father who lied that his daughter’s mother stabbed herself 14 times in front of her other children has been convicted of her murder – life without the possibility of parole plus an additional 100 years.
Gregory Deonte Norwood, 31, had tried to accuse 31-year-old teacher Crystal Powell of killing herself during an argument after she showed up at her home in Monroe, about 45 miles east of Atlanta, in April 2022.
The couple’s baby did not see the brutality, but the mother’s three other children and two of their cousins ”witnessed the killing and saw Crystal’s body in front of the house,” the Walton County District Attorney’s Office said.
The eldest of five children, 11 years old, called 911 to report the brutal killing after Norwood fled with her toddler.
The killer was found wearing blood-stained shoes – which DNA confirmed as a match to the victim.
Norwood “was interviewed and made a statement claiming that Crystal stabbed herself,” prosecutors said.
Gregory Deonte Norwood, 31, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 100 years. Walton County Sheriff’s Office
He repeated it throughout his trial, taking the stand and trying to “blame the death on Crystal, claiming she stabbed herself 14 times.”
However, the trial heard from five young witnesses who saw the killing — as well as the medical examiner, who testified that the wounds could not have been self-inflicted.
The jury also heard that Norwood had a history of domestic abuse against the mother of his young child.
Murdered teacher Crystal Powell, 31, had four children, including a baby with Norwood. Walton County Sheriff’s Office
“The jury is clearly not buying it [Norwood’s] self-serving version of events that does not match any of the evidence presented,” the prosecutor added.
It took the jury only an hour to find Norwood guilty of two counts of felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault and family violence battery. He was also convicted of five counts of first-degree cruelty to children
He was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 100 years.
Norwood and Powell share an infant child together. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Powell, a teacher with the Newton County Board of Education, was remembered as a loving mother, daughter and sister, according to her obituary.
“Crystal loved Braves baseball and enjoyed baking, shopping and loved spending time with her children and family,” the obit said. “He was loved by all and will be greatly missed.”
District Attorney Randy McGinley called it a fair result for a “heartbreaking trial.”
“While this decision cannot bring Crystal back, I hope it brings some level of closure and a sense of justice to her family and friends,” he said.
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