Dublin man gets life without parole for ’22 murder

A Dublin man was sentenced to life without parole Tuesday for the 2022 murder of a 34-year-old man that happened not far from the local police department.

Gary Cross, 34, apologized to the court, the family of victim Marquis Horne and his own family for his actions before Laurens County Superior Court Judge Trey Taylor handed down the sentence. 

“This crime was alarming,” Taylor said. “It was cold blooded without any regard. People were standing around minding their own business.” 

Cross was found guilty on all counts last month by a Laurens County jury. Taylor also sentenced him to a consecutive 55-year prison, to be served consecutively.

The fatal shooting happened on the evening of Feb. 12, 2022, at a store at 409 S. Jefferson St., right across from the Dublin Police Department, said Dublin Circuit Assistant District Attorney Cheryl Banks Hightower, who was the lead prosecutor in the case.

“Two police officers were monitoring that area of town at the time,” Hightower said. “There were a lot of people there in a vacant field next to the place. People were over there grilling, and there were food trucks and people were talking and hanging out.” 

She said Cross drove up to the store, got out of the car and approached Horne, who was talking to friends.

“He pushed one gentleman out of the way and shot Mr. Horne,” said Hightower, adding that there was no known motive for the fatal shooting. 

This crime was caught on a store camera. 

“What makes this worse is that Mr. Cross should not have had a gun in the first place because he was a convicted felon,” she said. “The jury heard all of the evidence and came back with a guilty verdict. Law enforcement did a great job in this case.” 

Cross’ attorney Wanda Jackson wanted a pre-sentencing investigation done by the Department of Community Supervision  before sentencing. 

Horne’s family and Cross’ family received the chance to make statements before Taylor imposed the sentence.

“The pain that i still live with, and depression, is because my child is never coming back,” Horne’s mother said. “Some days I can’t get out of bed. I’m still waiting for him to come back. … This has affected my whole family, including his kids.” 

Horne’s aunt commented briefly, asking for the “Lord to have mercy on his soul.”

“We have nothing against him,” she said.

Cross’ sister admitted what happened really hurt.

“He has always tried to be a good daddy and takes care of his kids,” she said.

Cross was then given a chance to speak.

“I apologize to the court and the family for the grief and pain,” he said. “I know what they are going through. I’d like to apologize to my family for what they are going through before I go away.”

Hightower encouraged the community to come forward and tell what they see when a crime happens.

“That way we can get the young men who are violent off of the streets,” she said. “We need the witnesses who see these crimes and testifies about it in open court. We have to have the citizens come out and say they want to live in a better community, and that is by reporting the crime and as a witness to the crime, tell what they saw.”