Owens Trial Begins Today in Franklin County Superior Court

Jury selection gets underway today in Franklin County Superior Court in the murder trial of a Lavonia woman charged with stabbing an elderly man to death.

Marian Owens is charged with the murder of 71-year old Tommy Cleveland Janes in December 2011.

On December 26, 2011, Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies answered a 911 call regarding a disturbance at a home on SR59 in the Fairview Community.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas, neighbors told deputies they had heard loud screams coming from Janes’ house that morning.

He said when deputies entered Janes’  home, they saw Owens attacking him.   Owens allegedly beat and stabbed Janes, who died later at Cobb Memorial Hospital.

Owens was later indicted on charges of felony murder, malice murder, and two counts of aggravated assault.  She was denied bond and remains in the Franklin County Detention Center.