More details have emerged in the Feb. 13 murder of Coweta County resident Richard L. Earhart at his home near Thomas Crossroads. The man charged with his murder, Earhart’s 31-year-old son, was found with a bloodied machete and double-edged ax in the home.
Justin Lee Earhart was charged with the Feb. 13 murder of his 58-year-old father at his east Coweta County residence.
Coweta County Sheriff Mike Yeager on Feb. 14 said the 911 call center received a call after 5:30 a.m. from an individual asking for help, adding that his son had attacked and stabbed him.
The man was kept on the phone as deputies were routed to the location at 300 Nectarine Drive off Ga. Highway 154 and south of Thomas Crossroads, said Yeager.
Deputies arriving at the scene within five minutes found a white male lying in blood in the roadway, Yeager said.
The man, later identified as 58-year-old Richard L. Earhart, was found bleeding and unresponsive and was transported to Piedmont Newnan Hospital were he later died, Yeager said.
Yeager said Justin Earhart was found inside the home, adding that the 31-year-old son had blood on him. Blood was also found inside the residence, Yeager added.
Details released earlier this week by Maj. James Yarbrough noted that a bloodied double-edged ax was found in the home along with a bloodied machete positioned beside Justin Earhart when deputies entered the residence.
Justin Earhart was transported to Piedmont Newnan to be checked out, said Yeager.
Yeager said it appeared the elder Earhart’s wounds were received by a sharp-edged object or weapon.
“We feel at this time there is sufficient evidence to charge Justin Earhart with murder,” said Yeager, adding that other charges are pending.
Yeager said the elder Earhart had bonded his son out of jail in November when he faced burglary charges.
