New Evidence Discovered in 2015 Telfair County Double Murder Case

In a significant development, new evidence has been uncovered in the 2015 double murder case of Elrey "Bud" Runion, 69, and his wife June Runion, 66, from Cobb County, Georgia.

The couple was robbed and fatally shot in Telfair County after traveling there to purchase a 1966 Ford Mustang advertised on Craigslist.

In April 2024, a man magnet fishing in Horse Creek discovered a.22-caliber rifle believed to be connected to the case. Two days later, the same individual found a bag containing the Runions' driver's licenses, credit cards, and a cell phone.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and Telfair County Sheriff's Office conducted searches at a residence on Webb Cemetery Road, yielding further evidence that will be analyzed at the GBI crime lab.

Ronnie Adrian "Jay" Towns, who was arrested days after the killings in 2015, is scheduled to stand trial in August 2023 for the Runions' deaths and armed robbery. Towns' initial indictment was thrown out due to issues with the grand jury selection, but he was re-indicted in 2020. The case has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why this matters: The discovery of new evidence nearly a decade after the crime could potentially strengthen the prosecution's case against Towns and bring closure to the victims' family. The outcome of this trial may also shed light on the challenges faced by law enforcement in solving cases involving online transactions and the importance of thorough evidence collection.

Former Telfair County Sheriff Chris Steverson believes the newly discovered evidence could provide the "missing links" in the case. Oconee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Tim Vaughn hopes the trial can proceed in August or September 2023. The GBI is asking anyone with information about the case to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Eastman, Georgia.

Key Takeaways

• New evidence found in 2015 Runion double murder case in Georgia.
• Magnet fishing uncovered a rifle and the Runions' personal items.
• Suspect Ronnie Adrian "Jay" Towns to stand trial in August 2023.
• Discovery of evidence may strengthen prosecution's case and provide closure.
• GBI seeks public information to aid investigation of this online transaction crime.