Mother says justice served after son sentenced for murder

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. — The mother of a man convicted of killing an Applebee's manager said justice was served when her son was sentenced to life in prison.

Gregory Haney Jr. and Ledarious Jackson were convicted of murdering Gregory Smith in the parking lot of a Fayette County Applebee’s in June 2015.

Haney’s mother, Alicia Paschal, turned her son in for the crime. She says she turned him in, because it was the right thing to do. She says reward money was not a factor.

"I'm getting a lot of backlash, you know, saying I'm not a good mom," Paschal said.

Haney's sister, Tamesha Hicks, says her mother is evil and conniving.

Hicks told Channel 2's Tom Jones she is in Clayton County Jail for breaking her mother's car windows after her mother claimed her children when filing taxes.

Hicks testified during her brother's murder trial that her mother turned in Haney for the reward money.

After the trial, Paschal told the victim's family she was motivated by a desire to do the right thing, not by money.

"I did the right thing. I called and I reported that I knew who it was," Paschal said.

Paschal also told investigators her son's co-defendant Jackson admitted his role in the murder.

Both were sentenced to life without parole.

"Justice has been served," Paschal said.

The victim's mother, Rechartta Smith, appreciated Paschal coming forward regardless of the reason.

Cox Media Group