Lee Co. man charged with murder - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Lee Co. man charged with murder

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LEE COUNTY, GA (WALB) -

A Lee County man is dead and another is in jail tonight after a Friday night altercation turned deadly.

GBI agents tell us 38-year-old Johnny Anthony Allen shot and killed 48 -year-old Robert Patton after the two men got in an altercation.

Wearing a jail issued jumpsuit and shackles 38-year-old Johnny Allen walked into a Lee County courtroom Saturday afternoon and stood before Magistrate Court Judge Jim Thurman.

This comes just hours after he was arrested for shooting 48-year-old Robert Patton to death last night.

"Johnny Anthony Allen did commit the offense of murder when he unlawfully and with malice and forethought caused the death of Robert Earl Patton by shooting Robert Earl Patton in the chest," said Judge Thurman.

GBI agents tell us around 9:30 Friday Night, Allen and Patton got into an fight in the 100 block of Knollwood Drive in Lee County. Agents won't say what the two were fighting about but it escalated from there.

"One of the individuals had a gun and decided to pull the gun and unfortunately shot the other individual and the other individual succumbed to his injuries and unfortunately died," said GBI Agent Danny Jackson.

Now Allen is facing one count of murder and aggravated assault.

In Saturday's hearing, he had little to say.

"I'm not asking you if you're guilty, I'm asking you if you understand what you're charged with," asked Judge Thurman.

"Yes," replied Allen.

Now GBI agents are trying to nail down exactly what started the fight between the men and why Allen pulled the trigger.

"It's still under investigation. The events surrounding the whole incident are under investigation at this time," said Agent Jackson.

Judge Thurman set a preliminary hearing or November 10th.

A Grand Jury will hear this case in April of 2013.

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