A Sandy Springs man who walked into police headquarters and told officers he had “snapped” is now facing what amounts to a lifetime behind bars. A Fulton County jury convicted Mamadi Tambajang of murder and related charges in the killing of his girlfriend, Amber Kelly, and a judge sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole plus 20 years. The case has sharpened local attention on warning signs that can precede deadly intimate-partner violence.
At trial, jurors watched body-worn camera footage showing Tambajang entering Sandy Springs police headquarters and telling officers he had “put his hands on her” and that he had “snapped” while describing the assault. Prosecutors also presented evidence that Kelly had called 911 in 2023 to report that her boyfriend had threatened to murder her twice that week, and that Tambajang was out on bond in two other cases involving the same woman. The Fulton County Public Defender’s Office has filed a motion for a new trial on his behalf, according to WSB-TV.
Prosecutors Say Jury Saw Pattern, Not a Split-Second Snap
Defense attorneys argued the killing was a momentary loss of self-control, telling jurors that Tambajang had been provoked. Fulton County Assistant District Attorney Jazmin Dilligard summarized the argument in court, saying, “His defense is that he snapped,” and noted that the defense claimed he was provoked to inflict the injuries. Prosecutors countered that the violence fit an escalating pattern rather than a single outburst, and the jury ultimately rejected the defense, returning guilty verdicts this week.
How the Case Fits a Wider Pattern
Advocates and prosecutors say the details in Kelly’s case, including prior threats, multiple calls for help and an eventual confession, mirror patterns that frequently end in lethal violence. National research from Everytown for Gun Safety and local materials compiled by the Fulton County District Attorney’s office describe similar patterns that raise the risk of fatal outcomes. Prosecutors point to that research when they argue for specialized domestic-violence units and earlier intervention when victims first call for help.
Family Urges Survivors to Speak Up
Kelly’s relatives have pleaded with other victims of abuse to seek help and not remain in relationships they believe are dangerous. In interviews carried by local outlets, the family described their shock and grief and said they hope Amber’s death spurs others to leave abusive partners, as reported by FOX5 Atlanta. Local advocates have also reminded the public about the Georgia Domestic Violence Hotline and other resources for people who fear they are at risk…