SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – Charles Teeple IV has been found guilty on charges related to the death of Savannah resident Bruce Helmly.
A jury reached a verdict just before 7:00 p.m. Friday. Teeple was being tried for aggravated assault, two counts of felony murder, and exploitation and intimidation of an elder. The jury found him guilty of battery, a lesser charge included with aggravated assault, and exploitation of an elder. They also found him guilty on two lesser charges of involuntary manslaughter, both were included in the felony murder charges.
- Count 1: aggravated assault = guilty of battery
- Count 2: felony murder = guilty of lesser charge involuntary manslaughter
- Count 3: exploitation and intimidation of an elder = guilty
- Count 4: felony murder = guilty of lesser charge involuntary manslaughter
News of the verdict coming down just before 6:30 p.m. Friday. The jury had been deliberating for several hours. Prosecutors say Teeple punched Savannah resident Bruce Helmly, who fell into a coma shortly after and died days later.
Closing arguments wrapped up Friday, with the prosecution fighting for convictions on four charges. They include aggravated assault, exploitation and intimidation of an elderly person, with separate felony murder charges attached to both of those…