Man Declared Guilty of Murder in Stephens County

By Charlie Bauder, WNEG, Toccoa

 

A Stephens County jury finds Steve A. Sims, Jr. guilty of felony murder and voluntary manslaughter in the death of Shawn Hancock of Toccoa following a week-long trial that concluded Friday afternoon.

Sims, Jr. was also found guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony.

The did jury found Sims, Jr. not guilty of malice murder, as well as aggravated assault.

The jury deliberated over the case for more than five hours beginning Friday morning, coming back with a verdict at around 4 p.m. Friday.

Sims Jr. killed Hancock during an altercation between the two men at Sims Jr.’s South Sage Street home in Toccoa back in March.

Sentencing was set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, also in Mountain Judicial Circuit Superior Court in Toccoa.