BOWMAN GUILTY BUT MENTALLY ILL

A JURY IN TROUP COUNTY FOUND MICHAEL DEWAYNE BOWMAN GUILTY BUT MENTALLY ILL , THURSDAY FOR THE MURDER OF CITY OF GRIFFIN POLICE OFFICER KEVIN JORDAN.

THE VERDICT WAS RETURNED AT THE TROUP COUNTY COURTHOUSE AFTER A TWO WEEK TRIAL.

GRIFFIN CIRCUIT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BEN COKER TOLD ZOOM NEWS AFTER THE VERDICT WAS READ—THAT THE VERDICT -- GUILTY BUT MENTALLY ILL-- DOES NOT TAKE THE DEATH PENALTY OFF THE TABLE AND THE SENTENCING PHASE WILL CONTINUE FRIDAY MORNING.

THE JURY FOUND BOWMAN GUILTY BUT MENTALLY ILL OF THE MURDER CHARGES AND THE OTHER MOST SERIOUS CHARGES IN COUNTS 1 -- 6, BUT HE WAS FOUND GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS 7 -12 INCLUDING POSSESSION OF A FIREARM IN THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME.

D.A. COKER SAID IT WAS NOT THE VERDICT HIS OFFICE HOPED FOR, BUT THEY WILL PROCEED WITH THE SENTENCING PHASE THAT COULD TAKE TWO DAYS TO COMPLETE.

THE SENTENCING PHASE IS EXPECTED TO INVOLVE TESTIMONY FROM OFFICER JORDAN'S FAMILY AND POSSIBLY HIS ASSOCIATES.