A Lowndes County man was found guilty of manslaughter in Lowndes County Circuit Court Friday afternoon for shooting and killing a man romantically involved with the defendant’s wife.
George Strickland, 49, of 6214 Highway 50 E., was charged with murder in the 2011 fatal shooting of 36-year-old Christopher George.
Strickland shot George after Strickland found him in bed with his wife, according to investigators. The men got into a verbal altercation in the hallway of the couple’s Steens home and George was shot multiple times, according to investigators.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. George was living with the couple at the time of the incident.
Strickland claimed self-defense in the shooting, saying George pulled a knife on him during the confrontation.
The jury found Strickland guilty of manslaughter. Strickland was also charged with aggravated assault for allegedly shooting at his wife during the incident. He was found not guilty of the lesser charge. Strickland will be sentenced Wednesday. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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