Gregory Norwood: Man sentenced to life for murder after falsely claiming woman stabbed herself 14 times

WALTON COUNTY, GEORGIA: Gregory Deonte Norwood has been convicted and sentenced to life without parole for the murder of Crystal Powell, who he claimed earlier had stabbed herself, per AJC.

31-year-old, Norwood from Georgia will spend the remainder of his days behind bars for killing the mother of his infant daughter, fatally stabbing the victim 14 times in front of five young children and earlier falsely claiming that all her wounds were self-inflicted.

Norwood stabbed his wife in front of his children 

Superior Court Judge Layla H Zon ordered on Friday, February 9 that Gregory Deonte Norwood will have to serve a sentence of life in a state correctional facility without the chance of parole plus an additional 100 years for the brutal 2022 slaying of Crystal Powell, authorities announced.

A press release from the Walton County District Attorney's Office states that the jury found Norwood guilty of two counts of felony murder, one count each of malicious murder, aggravated assault, and family violence battery, in addition to five counts of first-degree child cruelty. The jury deliberated for less than an hour.

Powell was a teacher in the Newton County school system, as per her obituary. Authorities said that on the evening of April 16, 2022, Norwood went to Powell’s home in Monroe, Georgia, which is about 44 miles east of Atlanta.

Two extremely young cousins, along with Powell's four children, one of whom was an infant she shared with Norwood, were present at her house that evening. The children, with the exception of the infant, ranged in age from 3 to 11.

After Norwood arrived at the home, he and Powell got into an argument that ended with him stabbing Powell 14 times, just outside of her own front door.

Prosecutors said that the five children “witnessed the murder and saw Crystal’s body in front of the house.” The 11-year-old called 911 after Norwood fled the scene with his infant daughter.

Norwood fabricated a story for his own defense 

The City of Monroe Police Department officers who were dispatched to the residence took charge of the investigation and located Norwood. He was apprehended by investigators after they found him in Newton County.

Prosecutors claim that Norwood claimed in a police interview that Crystal had stabbed herself fourteen times.

"At trial, the State presented evidence of prior domestic violence by the defendant against the victim,” prosecutors said.

“The Medical Examiner who performed the autopsy testified that the death was caused by the stab wounds and that the injuries were not consistent with being self-inflicted. The five children also bravely testified.”

Norwood testified in his own defense, sticking with the story that he saw Powell repeatedly stab herself. "The Defendant attempted to blame the death on Crystal, claiming she stabbed herself 14 times,” the press release states.

It added, “The jury clearly did not buy the Defendant’s self-serving version of the events that did not match any of the evidence presented.”

Some members of Powell's family, including a few of the children, read victim impact statements before Norwood was formally sentenced to life in prison. In these remarks, they discussed the impact of Norwood's murder on them.

“While this verdict cannot bring Crystal back, I hope it brings some level of closure and a sense of justice to her family and friends,” District Attorney Randy McGinley said in a statement.

“I want to thank all those who came to court in support of Crystal and her family, as well as all those supporting them that couldn’t come. This verdict, after such a heart-wrenching trial, is a result of so much hard work by so many.”