An Augusta man will spend life in prison for killing a 77-year-old with a cast-iron pan and electrical cord for money at their Poplar Street address.
Augusta Circuit District Attorney Jared Williams announced Thursday that a jury found Samuel D. Brown, 63, guilty of murder in the 2019 death of Roosevelt “Pop” Bland. Superior Court Judge Amanda Heath sentenced Brown to life without parole.
“Pop would have turned 81 tomorrow,” Williams said. “Eighty-one years of wisdom, guidance and love, all lost to senseless violence. These killings must stop, and we will not stop until they do.”
Prosecutors said Brown demanded money from Bland after seeing him make a bank withdrawal, according to a news release. When Bland refused, Brown struck him in the head with a cast-iron skillet then strangled him with an electrical cord. Brown then used Bland’s money to buy drugs and hire a prostitute, stole Bland’s truck and drove it to Brunswick then took a bus to Jacksonville before turning himself in.
The two men lived at the same Poplar Street address, according to prior reports. The house is owned by Beulah Grove Baptist Church.
Assistant District Attorney Dre’Kevius Huff and co-counsel Julian Rheams tried the case. Brown took the stand and claimed he killed Bland in self-defense. The jury took less than an hour to find him guilty.
Others assisting in the prosecution were ADA Justin Mullis of the Special Victims Unit, Legal Assistant Notosha Story, DA Investigator Greg Newsome and Victim Advocate Shelly Blaisdell, Williams said.
Susan McCord is a staff writer with The Augusta Press. Reach her at susan@theaugustapress.com
