Beggar jailed for life for shooting dead tourist who refused to give him a quarter after asking for directions

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Wanique Odwin, 29, murdered Kashma Avery, 48, in Atlanta, Georgia, in September 2008

By Graham Smith for MailOnline

Published: 02:36 EST, 14 August 2012 | Updated: 02:58 EST, 14 August 2012

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Jailed: Wanique Odwin, 29, received a life sentence and 25 years for murder

A beggar has been sentenced to life in prison for shooting dead a tourist who had refused his demand for a quarter.

Wanique Odwin, 29, murdered Kashma Avery, 48, in Atlanta, Georgia, in September 2008.

Mr Avery and friend Jay Abernathy, 33, both from Michigan, were at a Shell gas station in the midtown area of the city when they asked Odwin for directions.

When Mr Avery refused his demand for a quarter, Odwin became hostile and pulled out a .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun.

Mr Abernathy tried to grab the gun, but Odwin shot and wounded Mr Avery, who later died in hospital.

Odwin fled but was arrested minutes later at a homeless camping area.

He was yesterday sentenced to life in prison plus 25 years at Fulton County Superior Court after a jury found him guilty of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm.

Following the murder, Atlanta police launched a 30-day crackdown on begging following a barrage of complaints from both tourists and local residents.