Burlison found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in 1984 shooting

DALTON, Georgia (WDEF) – The Jurors in the murder trial of Jay Burlison have reached a verdict.

Burlison was convicted on three different counts.

After deliberating for several hours Wednesday and about one hour on Thursday, the jury found Jay Burlison guilty of voluntary manslaughter and two counts of aggravated assault.

Burlison was initially charged with first degree murder, but the jury convicted him of a lesser charge.

Jurors concluded he did shoot and kill Ernest Griffin in 1984 at a convenience store and that he shot his ex wife Mary Mealer.

He was on the run for more than three decades before was arrested in July.

Mealer says justice was served.

​Burlison will be sentenced on Tuesday.