Hunt Found Guilty in Triple Murder Case

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In a recent jury trial at the Toombs County Courthouse, Patrick Cornelius Hunt, 19, of Mount Vernon, was found guilty of murder, feticide, and aggravated assault for his role in the triple homicide that took the lives of Justin Godfrey, Iesha Wicker, and continued from page

Wicker’s unborn child on March 16, 2024.

At 5:02 p.m. on March 16, the Vidalia Police Department responded to a report of shots fired near the intersection of East Jenkins and Epstein Street. When officers arrived, they found that Godfrey, 23, and Wicker, 18, both of Soperton, had been shot. Others at the scene drove the victims to Memorial Health Meadows Hospital where the victims died from their injuries.

Kison King, Patrick Cornelius Hunt, and Jaquan Jordan were arrested for the murders on March 21, while Michael Anthony, Jr. and Fitzroy Ellis were taken into custody for the crime on April 13. The men were charged with murder (two counts), feticide, felony murder (two counts), and aggravated assault (two counts). Hunt and Jordan were issued an additional charge each for possession of a firearm by a first offender probationer.

The Toombs County Superior Court recently held a jury trial to determine Hunt’s innocence or guilt in the case; ultimately, the jury found Hunt guilty of the crimes. His sentencing is set for a later date.

“We hope that this decision gives those who loved Justin and Iesha some closure and an opportunity to begin the healing process,” District Attorney Tripp Fitzner commented. “A huge thank you to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 12 for their hard work on this case. Also, thank you to Toombs County Sheriff Jordan Kight and his deputies for keeping us and everyone in the courthouse safe throughout this trial.”

Fitzner went on to commend the work of Chief Assistant District Attorney Jessica Wilson, who oversaw the prosecution of the case. “Chief ADA Jessica Wilson was a rockstar,” Fitzner remarked. “She worked tirelessly on this trial, and she did a fantastic job. Our support staff did an awesome job of making sure she was ready before and during the trial.”

Hunt’s sentencing date has not yet been announced by the court.