Coleman Found Guilty of 2022 Murder

On Wednesday, February 26, a Toombs County Jury convicted Aaron Coleman of felony murder, criminal damage to property in the first degree, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, as they found him guilty of killing John “Buck” Tomason in 2022.

At approximately 11:12 a.m. on December 1, 2022, the Toombs County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) received a call reporting that a person had been shot at a residence located at 124 Moore Road outside of Lyons. On arrival, deputies found a deceased white male, later identified as the home’s resident, John Tomason, 36, of Normantown. The suspected shooter was not in or around the premises, so investigators and continued from page

deputies immediately canvassed the area to locate and interview witnesses and gather evidence.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Region 12 Office was brought in to assist in the investigation when the offense was determined to be a homicide.

The GBI, TCSO, and Vidalia Police Department worked together to locate and arrest Aaron Coleman at a home on Cadillac Drive in Vidalia. At the time of his arrest, Coleman was charged with felony murder, but later charged with 2 counts of aggravated assault and 1 count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Coleman was denied bail at his first appearance before Middle Judicial Circuit Chief Superior Court Judge Robert Reeves on December 2, 2022, as District Attorney Tripp Fitzner told the Judge that the DA’s office had no intention of providing a bond opportunity at that time.

Fitzner and Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Solomon oversaw the prosecution of Coleman’s case on Wednesday. Following the verdict, Middle Judicial Circuit Chief Superior Court Judge Robert Reeves sentenced Coleman to life in prison with parole, followed by 5 years consecutive service for the gun charge.

Fitzner thanked several individuals for their work on the case, including Toombs County Sheriff Jordan Kight, Toombs County Investigator Jason McCoy, Chief Investigator Rocky Davis, Victim Advocate Rosie Davis, former Special Agent Corey Haynes, former Special Agent Beth Coody, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 12.

“There is nothing that our court system can do to replace the life of a loved one to an act of senseless violence, but we do hope this brings the family some closure. Buck's sisters, aunt, and grandfather were present during the trial to show their support for him. We hope this verdict brings his family (and all the other people who loved Buck) some closure. Please keep this family in your continued prayers,” Fitzner concluded.

Aaron Coleman

AGENCIES ASSIST – Several law enforcement agencies, including the Toombs County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 12 Office, assisted in probing a homicide that occurred in Normantown on December 1, 2022.Photo by Daniel Ford