Douglas Guilty of Murdering 92-year-old Veteran During Robbery

MARIANNA – A 28-year-old man found guilty of robbing and killing a 92-year-old veteran with a shotgun blast was sentenced to Life In Prison following his trial on March 27, 2025, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

A 12-person Jackson County jury found Juqon T. Douglas guilty of First Degree Murder with a Firearm and Robbery with a Firearm. The victim, Chatman Adams, a veteran known as “Sarge” to his neighbors, was killed in his home August 19, 2018. Jurors deliberated for about an hour.

Prosecutor Peter Overstreet provided records showing Douglas had only been out of prison about 15 months when the shooting occurred. Circuit Court Judge Ana Maria Garcia sentenced Douglas to Life In Prison on both counts as a Prison Releasee Reoffender.

Overstreet called 13 witnesses and presented evidence ranging from cell phone records and bodycam video to DNA and statements made by the defendant to prove his case during the 2-day trial.

“I want to thank the Marianna Police Department, the Medical Examiner’s Office, and the community for helping find justice for Mr. Adams,” Overstreet said. “Mr. Adams, everyone knew him as ‘Sarge,’ was a well-known and loved member of the community, and that showed as witnesses came forward to help this case come together.”

The testimony and evidence proved that the defendant had been to the victim’s house a few days before the murder on Oct. 17, 2018, and that the victim sometimes sold small amounts of liquor. On October 17th when a female acquaintance wanted something to drink, the defendant told her he knew someone and took her to the victim’s house.

She testified that she walked to the front door, the defendant following behind. The victim answered the door holding a shotgun, asked what she wanted, and let her in to buy a bottle. She testified she gave the victim a $10 bill, but as she was walking out, the defendant walked in.

She said she left and got back in the car. Within a minute or two, she said she heard a loud noise, and the defendant returned to the car. She said he was carrying the same weapon the victim had when she was in the house. She testified the defendant said he had killed Adams.

Medical Examiner Dr. Jay Radtke testified the victim died almost immediately from a single shotgun wound to the neck.

This defendant who took the life of 92-year-old Chatman “Sarge” Adams during a robbery was given 2 Life sentences Thursday evening after being found guilty as charged.

A Jackson County jury heard the witnesses and evidence presented by Prosecutor Peter Overstreet, then deliberated for about an hour before finding the defendant guilty of First Degree Murder with a Firearm and Armed Robbery with a Firearm.