Verdict: Snipes found guilty of felony murder and robbery in shooting death of Ryan Boles

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — A verdict has been reached in the murder trial of 18-year-old Jadarius Snipes, accused in the 2023 shooting death of 23-year-old Ryan Boles.

The jury found Snipes guilty of felony murder and robbery in the first-degree.

Boles was killed in December 2023 in the parking lot of a Synovus Bank after leaving a Chamber of Commerce Christmas party. Snipes, who was 16 at the time, faces murder and robbery charges.

Snipes and a juvenile accomplice were both accused in Boles’ death, but Snipes is the only one on trial this week.

He was represented by the Armstrong Justice League and attorney Justus Armstrong.

Russell County District Attorney Rick Chancey called the case a devastating loss for the community.

“You got a young life snuffed out at the very beginning,” Chancey said. “He was so excited about his new career, his degree, and being a part of the community. Now he’s gone — and his family has lost their child. We’ve lost a new member of our community.”

Snipes was one of two people initially identified by police as persons of interest in the case.

A sentencing date has yet to be determined as Snipes will remain in the Russell County Jail.