Jeremy Dewayne McCrary
A man who shot and killed a fellow Chickamauga, Ga., resident in a road rage incident has been sentenced to life without parole, plus five years.
Jeremy Dewayne McCrary, who was 43 at the time of the incident in March 2022, appeared before Superior Court Judge Don Thompson at LaFayette on Wednesday afternoon.
At a recent trial, McCrary was found guilty of felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The jury found him not guilty of malice murder.
McCrary was one of a group of motorcyclists who got entangled with an SUV driven by 53-year-old Danny Claire on Lee-Clarkson Road. Authorities said the motorcyclists tried to pass the SUV driver, but he swerved in front of them. The fracas ended up on the parking lot of the Dollar General Store in Chickamauga. McCrary shot the victim in the chest with a .9 mm handgun that he pulled out.
Tapes were played at the sentencing hearing in which McCrary said he was "not sorry I shot the SOB." He also said he "sent the (mf) straight to hell."
A son of the victim said the incident has completely changed the family's life. He said his mother had to sell her home and go back to work and it has caused personal problems for several family members.
He said his father was the one who found ways to get the family together, but he said they now seldom see one another.
The witness said, "No person should have to die like this."
Prosecutors said, "The evidence, presented over a week-long jury trial, showed that on March 22, 2022, McCrary and his son-in-law were aggressively driving and speeding down Lee-Clarkson Road in Chickamauga on crotch rockets while passing multiple vehicles. McCrary and his son-in-law attempted to pass a vehicle driven by Danny Claire when Claire swerved to prevent them from passing. The pair eventually passed Claire, and McCrary’s son-in-law struck Claire’s side mirror with his hand, causing damage to the vehicle.
"McCrary and his son-in-law then continued on to the Dollar General store off Garrett’s Chapel Road. Claire pulled into the store parking lot as well, where he confronted McCrary and the son-in-law about the damage to his vehicle. The men began arguing in the parking lot when McCrary removed a gun from his pocket and shot Claire in the chest. Claire was unarmed, and no physical altercation had taken place between the men prior to the shooting. Claire died in the parking lot within minutes of being shot by McCrary.
"Following the shooting, McCrary and his son-in-law concocted a false narrative about the events that led up to Claire’s death. McCrary told law enforcement that he and Claire had been engaged in a minor tussle wherein Claire had pushed McCrary into a fence after approaching him in the parking lot, which prompted McCrary to shoot Claire. This version of events was ultimately proven to be untrue, as multiple passersby and store customers observed the shooting, and the physical and medical evidence was not consistent with the defendant’s version of events.
"At trial, the jury heard from the store customers who witnessed the murder, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation medical examiner, officers from the Walker County Sheriff’s Department, and a trooper from the Georgia State Patrol, who was able to recreate the crime scene using drone technology.
"McCrary testified in his own defense at trial, again proffering to the jury the false narrative that he gave to law enforcement regarding circumstances surrounding Claire’s murder. Unpersuaded, the jury convicted McCrary after the week-long trial.
"The state of Georgia was represented by Chief Assistant District Attorney Deanna Reisman and Assistant District Attorney Zachary Trippe. The case was expertly investigated by Captain Richie Dye with the Walker County Sheriff’s Office and Detective Rebecca Beason (retired). Trooper Scotty Smith with the Georgia State Patrol provided assistance in recreating the crime scene through drone technology. District Attorney’s Office investigators Christy Smith and Daniel Thacker provided invaluable assistance to the successful prosecution of McCrary. Victim Advocate Amy Reed served as the liaison to the Claire family throughout the years-long prosecution of McCrary."
Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller said deterring violent crime remains a top priority. He praised the work of Chief Assistant District Attorney Deanna Reisman and her team, calling her “one of the best prosecutors in the state,” and commended the “exceptional” efforts of law enforcement throughout the investigation and trial.
DA Fuller added, “I’ve spent 15 years in the military advising on the lawful use of force. What happened that day wasn’t self-defense - it was an unnecessary and deadly escalation. In Walker County, if you take a life without cause, we’ll make sure you spend yours behind four walls.”