COVINGTON, Ga. – Calling the 2015 murder of Nigiel James “a heinous act for no reason” and criminality a “cancer on our society,” Alcovy Judicial Circuit Judge John M. Ott sentenced two of the three men responsible for James’ death to life terms plus additional time during separate sentencing hearings Tuesday in Newton County Superior Court.

James was gunned down during a robbery attempt Sept 1, 2015 in the Silos of Ellington neighborhood in western Newton County.

Curtis McCammon, 20, and Hentrez Reed, 23, were tried together and convicted during a March trial. The third person charged in the slaying, Areon Clemons, 21, pleaded guilty to lesser charges and testified for the prosecution.

Prior to the sentencing, Newton County Assistant District Attorney Amber Bennett read victim impact statements from James’ mother and girlfriend.

McCammon received a life sentence for the murder plus an additional 20 years for armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Reed received a life sentence for the murder plus an additional 40 years for armed robbery, cocaine possession with intent to distribute, theft by receiving stolen property and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.