Limestone County Trial Ends In Murder Conviction

Keith George (Photo: Al Whitaker, WHNT News 19)

ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) – A Limestone County jury found Keith George guilty of murder Friday afternoon.  Jurors spent three hours deliberating the case.

George shot his nephew, Rusty George, at a family picnic in Ardmore in March of 2009.

Keith George, 39, was immediately turned over to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office.

The jury rejected the defense’s claim the shooting was in self-defense.  They also bypassed an option to find George guilty of manslaughter.

George will be sentenced at a later date. 

Just prior to the jury coming in, 25 to 30 of George’s friends and relatives came to sit on the defense’s side of the courtroom and wish George well.  Many also cried openly when the verdict was read.

The victim’s mother, Zanbra George, told WHNT News 19 she hopes “this sends a message that you cannot steal the life of another and just walk away.”

We’ll have a live report from Athens Friday on WHNT News 19 at 6:00 p.m.