Philip Pugh has been convicted of murder and aggravated assault charges related to a 2014 killing at a Gwinnett County motel.
Pugh fatally shot Vincent Newsome at an InTown Suites in Stone Mountain on March 1, 2014 after an argument. Pugh fired 11 shots, hitting Newsome multiple times in the back. A shot to the liver ultimately caused Newsome’s death.
Weeks before the incident, Pugh filed a police report claiming that Newsome had raped Pugh’s wife at the InTown Suites. No evidence emerged to support this claim, according to the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s office.
After killing Newsome, Pugh fled the state. He was found sleeping in his car in Mississippi two days later.
Pugh was found “guilty but mentally ill” and was sentenced Monday to life in prison. He received a psychological evaluation before the trial began, and was found competent to stand trial.
About the Author
