Bio

Marcus Wellons was born in 1955. He grew up in Georgia and experienced a difficult childhood. He had a troubled relationship with his father, who was abusive. This environment negatively impacted Wellons as he was growing up.

In the summer of 1989, Wellons was living with his girlfriend, Gail Saunders, in Cobb County, Georgia. Saunders had a son named Tony, who was friends with a 15-year-old girl named India Roberts. India would occasionally visit their apartment. During this time, Wellons showed an interest in India and often encouraged his girlfriend's son to date her.

As summer progressed, Wellons's behavior started to change. He became more hostile and abusive towards Saunders. They discussed ending their relationship, and on August 30, 1989, Saunders asked Wellons to move out. At this time, Wellons was also struggling with his job and personal issues, which added to his stress and frustration.

On the morning of August 31, 1989, Wellons allegedly made significant attempts to reach Saunders, who was not home. He was upset and had been drinking the previous night. The events of that day would later change everything for him and those around him.

Wellons had plans to move to Miami that same day, which indicated he was at a crossroads in his life. His time living with Saunders and their relationship was nearing an end. This precarious situation set the stage for tragic events that would unfold later that day.

Murder Story

On August 31, 1989, Marcus Wellons murdered 15-year-old India Roberts in Cobb County, Georgia. On that day, India was walking to her school bus stop when additional witnesses reported hearing muffled screams from Wellons' apartment. Later that day, a man saw someone carrying what looked like a body wrapped in a sheet.

Later investigations revealed India’s body in a wooded area. She had been strangled, and evidence suggested she had also been raped. Authorities linked Wellons to the crime after an eyewitness identified him.

The police arrested Wellons on the same day, August 31, 1989. He was tried, convicted of murder and rape, and sentenced to death on June 9, 1993. Wellons' appeals continued for years, and he came close to execution in December 1997 when a last-minute appeal was filed.

Finally, Wellons was executed by lethal injection on June 17, 2014. His execution was marked by the denial of clemency and heightened scrutiny due to concerns about the lethal injection process. During his last moments, Wellons apologized for his crimes, expressing hope that India Roberts' family would find peace.