Augusta manslaughter convictions upheld

Two Richmond County manslaughter convictions have been upheld by the Georgia Supreme Court.

Paul Franklin Blevins was tried and convicted in February 2009 for the death of 62-year-old Danny Jones. Jones was found dead April 5, 2007 by firefighters responding to a fire in Jones' home. A blood-stained plank of wood was found near his body and the coroner later determined Jones died from blunt force trauma.

Blevins was pulled over later that day by a patrol deputy and arrested on suspicion of DUI. He was carrying several of Jones' possessions and his shirt was soiled with Jones' blood. Justices determined on appeal that "the evidence was sufficient to exclude every reasonable hypothesis other than Blevins' guilt" and convict him of malice manslaughter, armed robbery and arson in the first degree.

Also Monday, justices affirmed the conviction of Haskell Johnson, but vacated one of his two life sentences. Johnson was indicted with two other defendants for the robbery and death of Ritchard Lewis on March 4, 2000. Evidence at trial showed that the gunplay was the result of a drug deal.

Johnson was the first to go to trial and was convicted of all charges. Derek Willingham was also convicted, but his conviction was later reversed by the Georgia Supreme Court. Franklin Frails was acquitted.

Justices vacated one of Johnson's life sentences for felony manslaughter because of a trial error, but maintained another life sentence for malice manslaughter.

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