Muscogee County jury finds man not guilty of all charges in Columbus murder trial
A Muscogee County jury found a defendant not guilty of murder and other criminal charges Wednesday in the Columbus shooting death of a 25-year-old man, according to court documents.
Jonathan Thompson, 28, was found not guilty of all charges in the 2022 death of Zachary Castellow in the 1600 block of Forestside Drive, according to court documents.
Court records say Thompson faced charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and two counts of cruelty to children in the third degree.
On Sept. 12, 2022, responding police officers found Castellow lying on the floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency workers were unable to resuscitate Castellow, and he was pronounced dead at 7 p.m. by Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan.
During a preliminary hearing in Columbus Recorder’s Court, Columbus Police Department Sgt. Donna Baker said witnesses saw Thompson approach the property the night of the shooting and later heard gunshots come from the home.
Baker testified Thompson turned himself in at police headquarters along with a weapon that matched the caliber of shell casings found at the crime scene.
Baker confirmed at least one other person witnessed the shooting, but she provided no further details as the investigation was ongoing at that time.
The Ledger-Enquirer tried to reach Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Don Kelly and Thompson’s defense attorney for comment. Neither was available before publication.