A couple found slain in rural Telfair County, Georgia more than nine years ago may finally see justice after a recent discovery of new evidence. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced that items belonging to the couple, Bud and June Runion, were found in Horse Creek by someone using a magnet to fish for metal objects on April 14. Among the items discovered were a rifle, a bag containing a cellphone, driver’s licenses, and credit cards that belonged to the couple. The Runions were robbed and fatally shot before their bodies were found off a county road in January 2015 after traveling to Telfair County to meet someone selling a 1966 Mustang to Bud Runion.
Ronnie Adrian “Jay” Towns was arrested a few days later and charged with armed robbery and murder in connection with the deaths of the Runions. Towns had allegedly lured the couple to Telfair County by responding to an online ad posted by Bud Runion seeking a classic car, despite not actually possessing such a vehicle. Legal proceedings in the case have faced delays due to issues with the grand jury selection process resulting in the first indictment being thrown out in 2019. Towns was subsequently indicted for the murders in 2020, with the case further delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecutors seeking the death penalty against Towns have had to navigate additional pretrial legal steps, adding further complications to the case. Despite these challenges, District Attorney Tim Vaughn of the Oconee Judicial Circuit is preparing for Towns’ trial to potentially begin as soon as August. The newly discovered evidence from Horse Creek, including the rifle of the same caliber believed to have been used in the killings, is expected to bolster the prosecution’s case. While investigators are still working to confirm whether the rifle is the murder weapon, Vaughn believes that the finding strengthens the case against Towns significantly.
Defense attorney Franklin Hogue has not yet responded to requests for comment on the latest developments in the case. The discovery of new evidence in the form of the rifle and personal items belonging to the Runions is seen as a positive development by prosecutors, who believe it enhances the strength of the case. The pending trial for Towns, who maintains his innocence, is eagerly anticipated by both legal teams as they continue to navigate through the complexities of seeking justice for the Runions. Despite the various delays and legal challenges faced thus far, it is hoped that the newly discovered evidence will bring closure to the case and finally secure a resolution for the families impacted by the tragic deaths of Bud and June Runion.
