CAMDEN COUNTY, Ga. -- A man from Georgia is on his way to prison, likely for the rest of his life.
A jury today convicted 31-year-old Amos Southall for the rape and murder of 21-year-old Michelle Hainley of Yulee.
Housekeepers found Hainley's body floating in the bathtub of a hotel room at the Ramada Inn in Kingsland on February 26, 2008. She died from blunt force trauma, stangulation, and drowning. DNA evidence linked Southall to the victim's body and hotel room, despite his denials of ever being there.
Southall was found guilty on charges of felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault, possession of a controlled substance and distribution of a controlled substance. The trial started last week. It ended last Friday with a verdict.
He faces a minimum of life in prison, and a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
A sentencing hearing will be set next year.
