New evidence discovered in Georgia creek may be crucial in the trial of a suspected murderer.
A fisherman using a magnet to search for metal objects in Horse Creek in Georgia found a .22-caliber rifle and other items that are believed to be linked to the 2015 murders of Bud Runion, 69, and his wife June, 66.
The rifle and other items were found by an unidentified individual on April 14, leading to the realization that they match the type of weapon used in the Runions’ tragic deaths.
Upon returning to the creek the next day, the searcher also discovered a cellphone, credit cards, and driver’s licenses belonging to the Runions, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
These items are now considered as “new evidence” against Ronnie Adrian “Jay” Towns, who is set to stand trial in August.
District Attorney Tim Vaughn of the Oconee Judicial Circuit expressed that the new evidence strengthens an already strong case against Towns.
The Runions had been shot to death after traveling from Atlanta to Telfair County to respond to a fake Craigslist ad for a 1966 Mustang.
Towns was initially arrested on charges of armed robbery and murder, but his first indictment was dismissed due to grand jury selection issues.
A second indictment was issued in 2020, with the trial being delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in Towns’ case and are aiming to commence the trial in August, although a specific date has not been set.
Towns has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
While the rifle retrieved from the creek matches the caliber of the weapon used in the murders, investigators are still working to confirm if it was the actual murder weapon.
The discovery of the belongings in the creek also led to a search of a Telfair County residence, where additional evidence was uncovered.
The details of the additional evidence found at the residence were not disclosed by the GBI, and Vaughn refrained from providing further comments.
With Post wires
