Man found guilty of 2nd-degree murder in Big Sandy shooting

CAMDEN, Tenn. — A man charged with first-degree murder was in court Friday for the third day of trial, and a verdict was reached.

George Burns III was found guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Michael Nuzzo in November 2015.

Emotions ran high in the courtroom Friday afternoon as the verdict was read.

“In this case, it indicated that you find the defendant not guilty of first-degree murder,” Circuit Court Judge Creed McGinley said. “You did, however, find the defendant guilty of murder in the second degree.”

Burns was found guilty in the shooting death of Michael Nuzzo last November after a fight outside a gas station in Big Sandy.

Friday morning started with closing statements from the district attorney general, urging jurors to make their decision based on what they heard from the stand.

“When you look at all the evidence and realize that we have proved all of the elements of premeditated murder beyond a reasonable doubt, I ask that you do your duty and carry out your oath,” District Attorney General Matt Stowe said.

One of Burns’ attorneys countered, saying the state had not proven any motive for first-degree murder.

“But the promise of that passionate love affair was not delivered on or from the witness stands,” defense attorney Grover Collins said.

The state closed by showing the video surveillance of the altercation, urging the jurors to look at the evidence.

They deliberated for a little more than two hours before reaching their verdict.

Burns is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 24.