A Cherokee County jury has found a man guilty of murder in his wife’s death last summer.
Charles Terry Collins, 71, was found guilty of all charges, specifically malice murder, felony murder, family violence aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office announced.
After a six-day trial, the jury deliberated for less than three hours before issuing the verdict.
Superior Court Judge Shannon Wallace said that sentencing would occur later this week.
Early on July 24, the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting that occurred at about 2:10 a.m. at a home off New Light Road near Canton. When CSO deputies arrived, they found Collins holding a Smith & Wesson .38 special revolver and his deceased wife, Deborah Sherry Collins, 63, lying on the floor, with a gunshot wound to the neck.
Collins admitted he shot his wife but told authorities his actions were in self-defense, because she had threatened him with a knife. But he did not render aid and did not call 911, prosecutors said, and evidence showed that Deborah was not holding a knife when she was shot.