Putnam Co. Jury Convicts Three Men in Murder Case

Friday, a jury convicted three men accused of beating a man to death over a $25 marijuana purchase.

They were accused of murdering 44-year-old Earl Eugene Gill in March 2008, said Fred Bright, district attorney for the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit.

He said the men were convicted of murder, robbery, and aggravated assault. They are:

• Roy L. Bradshaw, age 48, of Dublin;
• Michael Morris Mims, age 47 of Sardis;
• Michael Morris Mims Jr., 18, of Sardis.

Bright said the trial got under way Tuesday in Putnam County Superior Court in Eatonton.

Bright said the jury deliberated for 50 minutes.

He says a judge sentenced Bradshaw to life without parole plus 40 years; Michael Morris Mims Sr. and Michael Morris Mims Jr. were both sentenced to life plus 20 years in prison.

He said the three men gave Gill $25 to buy marijuana. When he returned without the marijuana, Bright said, they kidnapped him outside the Econo Lodge in Milledgeville.

They took Gill into Bradshaw's van, beat him with their fists and feet and dumped him in Putnam County, he said.

Gill died 11 days later from his injuries.

Teresa Bradshaw, Roy's wife, pled guilty in the case. Bright said she drove the van during the kidnapping.