By Beth Alston

AMERICUS — The trial of Timothy Antawn Myrick was held in Sumter Superior Court the week of April 15 before Judge Jimmie Brown. The state was represented by Southwestern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Lewis Lamb, assisted by Assistant District Attorney Tami Peavy-Owen. Ed Cannington of Lumpkin presented Myrick.
The case against Myrick arose from the incidents of May 19, 2016, at a residence at 929 Ridge St., Americus. Myrick, then 31, was accused of killing Cliff Jones Sr., 28, by drowning in a bathtub. He was accused of locking two male children a bedroom at the address. He was also charged with kidnapping Vanessa S. Charles, then 26, taking her to Lee County, and raping her.
Following the report of the crime, the Americus Police Department, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 3 Americus Office, and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office asked the community for help in locating the suspect. Myrick, of 143 Cherokee St., Americus, was located in Lee County where he was arrested and detained. He was then transported back to Sumter County, where he had warrants for his arrest.
Jury selection began on Monday, April 15 and opening statements were Tuesday morning. Evidence continued until Wednesday afternoon. Closing arguments were heard Thursday morning, after which the jury was charged by the judge. They came back with their verdict around 12:30 p.m., and found Myrick guilty of malice murder, felony murder, two counts of false imprisonment, two counts of aggravated assault, one count of burglary, and one count of kidnapping. The judge sentenced Myrick to two life sentences without parole, with 80 years to serve after that.