Fayetteville man convicted of uncle’s 2014 murder

A Fayette County jury on July 30 convicted 21-year-old Fayetteville resident Mustafa Mahdi of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a knife during the commission of a felony in the March 2014 killing of his uncle.

Judge Fletcher Sams sentenced the defendant to life in prison. Assistant District Attorney Dan Hiatt and Chief Assistant District Attorney Marie Broder prosecuted the case. Fayetteville Police Investigator Shawn Albea was the lead investigator, said District Attorney Ben Coker.

Coker said Mahdi was convicted of stabbing his uncle, David John Quincy, over 75 times on March 24, 2014. The jury did find that the defendant had a mental illness at the time of the crime, but that he was responsible for his actions.

“This was a challenging case, and I am proud of Dan, Marie and our Fayette County team for their hard work. This is a good result for the victims and for the community as a whole. We hope now that the victims can find some peace and begin the healing process,” said Coker.

Mahdi, 17 at the time, of Sylvan Loop, was charged with malice murder, felony murder and aggravated assault, according to former Fayetteville Police Det. Mike Whitlow at the time.

Whitlow at the time of the murder said officers were called to the Sylvan Loop residence in north Fayetteville on March 24 at approximately 8:15 p.m. about a domestic argument. Mahdi lived at the residence owned by his grandmother, Whitlow said.

Officers at the scene found Mahdi’s uncle, David John Quincy, III, of Atlanta, bleeding from stab wounds. Quincy was transported to Atlanta Medical Center by Fayette County EMS where he expired, Whitlow said.

Whitlow said Quincy had come to the residence to help Mahdi and had offered to allow Mahdi to live with him. Mahdi and Quincy became engaged in a heated argument and Mahdi began stabbing him, Whitlow said.

Detectives recovered evidence at the scene as well as witness testimony which led to the arrest of Mahdi, said Whitlow.

Whitlow said Madhi was at the residence when officers arrived and was subsequently arrested without incident.

“Mr. Quincy was trying to help him and Mr. Madhi turned on him,” said Whitlow. “This is a terrible tragedy for this family.”