GEORGIA MAN RECEIVES 30-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR GIRLFRIEND’S MURDER

A Georgia man received a 30-year prison sentence today for killing his girlfriend in her workplace.

Mark V. Pearson, 41, pleaded guilty to the April 12, 2005 murder of Pamela Ownby, 44. The murder occurred at Murphy USA, 1517 W. Floyd Baker Blvd. A store customer found Ownby lying on the floor of the bathroom. The victim died as a result of a stab wound and multiple gunshots.

After the murder, Pearson fled to Royston, Ga. where he turned himself into authorities. In a post-arrest interview with police, he admitted to arguing with Ownby before the violence erupted.

On his way out of state, Pearson said he stopped near Exit 2 on I-85 and tossed the gun and knife into a lake. He turned himself into authorities at a Franklin County fire department where he once worked.

“This was a senseless crime,” Assistant Solicitor Mike Morin said. “Mr. Pearson should have walked away from the relationship instead of resorting to violence.

“He now has a lot of time on his hands to think about the consequences of his pathetic actions,” Morin added.

Pearson, who had no prior criminal record, will serve every day of the prison sentence. He is not eligible for parole.