Judge James L. Cline, Jr., 62, who presided in eight central Georgia counties, was found dead in his home in Greensboro around 6 p.m. Thursday.

He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, according to an autopsy performed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is helping with the death investigation.

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com