Teen Died Protecting Younger Sister During Robbery Attempt on Walk Home From Street Festival — Now 1 of His Killers Has Pleaded Guilty
David Harris, Law and Crime, October 19, 2026
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Michael Wallace, 36, on Monday pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Caleb Witty in Decatur. Wallace faces at least 40 years behind bars when he is sentenced Dec. 8.
The 2011 murder went unsolved for more than a decade, until cops arrested Wallace and Bobby Gipson, now 37, in 2024. Gipson is also facing first-degree murder charges and is slated to appear in court on Nov. 5.
Police said Caleb and his then-14-year-old sister were walking home from the Decatur Celebration street fest around 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 4, 2011. They were on the 2200 block of E. Johns Avenue when Wallace and Gipson tried to rob them, cops said.
Caleb shielded his sister, giving her time to run away. Police said the gunman shot him in the arm and chest.
Police said Wallace and Gipson fled. Caleb died.
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[Editor’s Note: Images of the perps and victim are available here.]
