An Augusta man who killed a friend and buried him in the backyard was convicted of murder Thursday, July 28.
The Richmond County Superior Court jury convicted John Daniels, 44, of murder, concealing the death of another and use of a firearm during the commission of a crime. District Attorney Jared Williams said in a news release that Daniels was sentenced to life in prison without parole for murder and another 25 years for his other crimes.
MORE: Two charged with cruelty to children
The victim was 55-year-old John Jones whose work ethic was so strong his employer and coworkers at Villa Europa immediately suspected something must have happened when he didn’t show up for work on Aug. 28, 2019.
MORE: Surveillance footage provides details into teen’s slaying
Richmond County Sheriff Investigator Ron Sylvester took a missing person report on Jones. He talked to a coworker of Jones’ who had given Jones a ride to a house on Meadowlark Road on Aug. 28, 2019. The home belonged to Daniels. Daniels told the investigator Jones had been there but left, Assistant District Attorney Kyle Davis told the jury in his opening statement Monday.
Sylvester returned to Daniels’ home on Sept. 10 and immediately smelled the terrible odor of decomposition. Jones’ body was found buried in Daniels’ backyard. He had been shot in the head.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.
