This has been a long time coming.
A man will spend the rest of his life in prison after murdering a couple he lured to buy a classic car almost a decade ago.
Ronnie Adrian “Jay” Towns pleaded guilty to two counts of malice murder in connection to the deaths of Bud and June Runion. Towns was sentenced to two concurrent life without parole sentences.
The Runions, who were from Cobb County, Georgia, were robbed and shot to death before their bodies were found in Telfair County, Georgia, in January 2015.
Authorities said the couple drove three hours to Telfair County to meet someone offering to sell Bud Runion a 1966 Mustang.
Law enforcement officials said Towns lured the Runions to Telfair County by replying to a Craigslist advertisement that 69-year-old Bud Runion had posted seeking a classic car. Towns did not own a classic car.
Before the guilty plea, Georgia courts had thrown out Towns’ first indictment over problems with how the grand jury was selected. Towns was indicted a second time in 2020 for the killings but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the case.
In April, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said new evidence — a .22 caliber rifle, a bag with driver’s licenses and credit cards belonging to the Runions and a cell phone — was found by someone who was magnet fishing in Horse Creek in Telfair County.
www.firstalert7.com
Bud and June Runion were found fatally shot on a road in Telfair County, Ga.,
Ronnie Adrian “Jay” Towns admitted to killing them and pleaded guilty to two charges of murder during a court hearing on Monday, Nov. 18, Atlanta News First, 13 WMAZ and WGXA reported among other outlets.
He had been charged with murder and armed robbery just days after the killing, according to authorities cited by Atlanta News First and WGXA.
Towns had been in contact with the couple through Craigslist over an ad for a 1966 Ford Mustang, per WGXA, 13 WMAZ and Atlanta News First.
An armed forces veteran, Bud was seeking a Ford similar to the one he had after he returned from Vietnam, according to his daughter Brittany Patterson, 11 Alive reported. He had purchased the car while he was still in the Army, she noted.
"He was a Vietnam Vet, drafted to serve overseas. He just wanted to find that car again and enjoy life now retired,” she said.
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www.hunterfuneralhomega.com
A man will spend the rest of his life in prison after murdering a couple he lured to buy a classic car almost a decade ago.
Ronnie Adrian “Jay” Towns pleaded guilty to two counts of malice murder in connection to the deaths of Bud and June Runion. Towns was sentenced to two concurrent life without parole sentences.
The Runions, who were from Cobb County, Georgia, were robbed and shot to death before their bodies were found in Telfair County, Georgia, in January 2015.
Authorities said the couple drove three hours to Telfair County to meet someone offering to sell Bud Runion a 1966 Mustang.
Law enforcement officials said Towns lured the Runions to Telfair County by replying to a Craigslist advertisement that 69-year-old Bud Runion had posted seeking a classic car. Towns did not own a classic car.
Before the guilty plea, Georgia courts had thrown out Towns’ first indictment over problems with how the grand jury was selected. Towns was indicted a second time in 2020 for the killings but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the case.
In April, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said new evidence — a .22 caliber rifle, a bag with driver’s licenses and credit cards belonging to the Runions and a cell phone — was found by someone who was magnet fishing in Horse Creek in Telfair County.
Man who lured couple to buy vintage car on Craigslist pleads guilty to murder
The man who lured a couple to buy a vintage car on Craiglist pleaded guilty to their murder.
www.firstalert7.com
Bud and June Runion were found fatally shot on a road in Telfair County, Ga.,
Ronnie Adrian “Jay” Towns admitted to killing them and pleaded guilty to two charges of murder during a court hearing on Monday, Nov. 18, Atlanta News First, 13 WMAZ and WGXA reported among other outlets.
He had been charged with murder and armed robbery just days after the killing, according to authorities cited by Atlanta News First and WGXA.
Towns had been in contact with the couple through Craigslist over an ad for a 1966 Ford Mustang, per WGXA, 13 WMAZ and Atlanta News First.
An armed forces veteran, Bud was seeking a Ford similar to the one he had after he returned from Vietnam, according to his daughter Brittany Patterson, 11 Alive reported. He had purchased the car while he was still in the Army, she noted.
"He was a Vietnam Vet, drafted to serve overseas. He just wanted to find that car again and enjoy life now retired,” she said.
Georgia Man Lured Elderly Couple with Craigslist Ad Before Killing Them, He Admits
Ronnie Adrian 'Jay' Towns admitted to luring Bud and June Runion with a Craigslist ad before fatally shooting them both and leaving their bodies on a road three hours from their home in 2015.
Bud, June Runion Obituary 2015 - Hunter Funeral Home
View Bud, June Runion's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.
www.hunterfuneralhomega.com
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