ATLANTA - Georgia's highest court has upheld the murder conviction and sentence of life in prison without parole for a man involved in the 2009 killing of former world boxing champion Vernon Forrest.

The Georgia Supreme Court opinion published Monday says there was evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that J'Quante Crews was guilty in the July 2009 slaying.

Prosecutors said Crews was with DeMario Ware and Charmon Sinkfield at a gas station when the former Olympian pulled up in an expensive car. Ware robbed Forrest of a Rolex watch and championship ring and ran. When Forrest chased Ware, Sinkfield confronted him and shot him in the back several times. Crews drove the getaway car.

Crews was sentenced in April 2012. Ware and Sinkfield also got life sentences without the chance of parole.

IN OTHER NEWS: A special fundraiser, hosted by Irish Ropes, will be held December 3 at the Grevillle Arms Hotel in Mullingar, Ireland, highlighted by a meet-and-greet with some of Ireland's best and most popular athletes and musicians.
 
Proceeds will benefit Midland Simons Community, whose goal is to eliminate homelessness in Laois, Lonford, Offaly and Westmeath.
 
Irish Ropes is an Ireland-based boxing promotional company that was also successful promoting out of New York City from 2003 to 2009.
 
"The holidays are coming and we're raising funds to make life a little better for some disadvantaged people," Irish Ropes president Eddie McLoughlin, who will be celebrating his 60th birthday the night of the fundraiser. "The Irish are known for their generosity and we're fortunate to have so many popular athletes in our corner for this worth event."
 
The fundraising event will offer an open microphone to singers, magicians, comedians, etc.   Suggested donations are 10 Euros per person or whatever is affordable.  Volunteers collecting donations include Terri Carey, who works at The Fashion Shop in Mullingar, and her sister, Dympna.
 
Invited Irish athletes include 2012 Olympic boxing champion Katie Taylor, also a multiple-time World and European Championships gold medalist, as well as some of the biggest names from the world of Gaelic football, hurling, horse racing, men's boxing, golf, and stars from the Irish music scene.