Dad who fatally stabbed his baby’s mom in front of 5 kids gets life plus 100 years

A lying Georgia dad who claimed the mother of his infant daughter stabbed herself 14 times in front of her other kids has been convicted of her murder — getting life without the possibility of parole plus an extra 100 years.

Gregory Deonte Norwood, 31, had tried to claim 31-year-old teacher Crystal Powell killed herself during an argument after he showed up at her home in Monroe, about 45 miles east of Atlanta, in April 2022.

The couple’s infant did not see the brutality, but the mom’s three other kids and two of their cousins “witnessed the murder and saw Crystal’s body in front of the house,” the Walton County District Attorney’s Office said.

The oldest of the five kids, aged 11, called 911 to report the brutal slaying after Norwood fled with his young child.

The killer was found wearing blood-covered shoes — which DNA confirmed as a match for the victim.

Norwood “was interviewed and made statements claiming that Crystal stabbed herself,” prosecutors said.

He repeated that throughout his trial, taking the stand and trying to “blame the death on Crystal, claiming she stabbed herself 14 times.”

However, the trial heard from the five young witnesses who saw the slaying — as well as the medical examiner, who testified that the wounds could never have been self-inflicted.

Jurors also heard that Norwood had a history of domestic abuse against the mother of his young child.

“The jury clearly did not buy [Norwood’s] self-serving version of the events that did not match any of the evidence presented,” prosecutors added.

It took the jury just an hour to find Norwood guilty of two counts of felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault, and family violence battery. He was also convicted of five counts of first-degree cruelty to children

He was sentenced Friday to life without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 100 years.

Powell, a teacher with the Newton County Board of Education, was remembered as a loving mother, daughter and sister, according to her obituary.

“Cyrstal liked Braves baseball and enjoyed baking, shopping and loved spending time with her children and family,” the obit read. “She was greatly loved by everyone and will be deeply missed.”

District Attorney Randy McGinley called it a just outcome to “such a heart-wrenching trial.”

“While this verdict cannot bring Crystal back, I hope it brings some level of closure and a sense of justice to her family and friends,” he said.