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Runion family heartbroken after plea deal falls through in long-running murder case

Jay Towns backs out of expected guilty plea, delaying justice for slain elderly couple

MCRAE-HELENA, Ga. — The Runion family was once again left disappointed and frustrated after an apparent plea deal in the long-running murder case of Bud and June Runion fell through at the last minute.

The elderly couple from Cobb County was lured to Telfair County in 2015 and killed. Their accused murderer, Jay Towns, was expected to plead guilty during a hearing on Tuesday and receive a life sentence. 

However, that resolution never materialized. 

"We were told there was a possibility that he was going to plead guilty and he was gonna be sentenced and go to prison and that's why we came down," said Brittany Patterson, the Runions' daughter. "We were prepared for this to be the last hearing and to have some closure."

District Attorney Tim Vaughn came into the courtroom just before the hearing began and spoke privately with the Runion family. 

"I'm very disappointed and I'm very frustrated," Patterson expressed. "We waited nine years, nine months and 15 days for this man to admit his guilt and for us to have peace and resolution."

Stephanie Bishop, Bud Runion's daughter, echoed the family's frustration.

"I believe that the evidence is clear. I believe that the evidence points to Jay Towns being guilty and I believe that if we go to trial that will be the verdict - that he is guilty," Bishop said. "But we'll have to wait another day."

At the hearing, Judge Sarah Wall announced the matter would be continued to a future date.

"We will reconvene on the possibility of the 18th. The court will be issued an order after the counsel determines the availability of one of the witnesses on motion 6.2 and then have motion scheduled for the 21st as well," Wall said from the bench.

The Runion family, who traveled from the Atlanta area for Tuesday's hearing, expressed their frustration with the ongoing delays in the case.

"It's hard, it's hard. But I know I know that one day we will get justice if not here in the hereafter because he will stand before a holy God one day and he will have to give an account for what he's done," Bishop said.

Patterson pleaded for the public to remember Bud and June Runion, describing them as "wonderful people" who "deserve so much better than this."

A tentative hearing is now scheduled for November 18th, where the possibility of a plea deal may be revisited. But until then, the Runion family's long wait for closure and justice continues.

"It's been long enough. Yes. Yes," Bishop said.

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