Christopher Collins Demmon entered a guilty plea Thursday morning, Oct. 6, for the June 2021 slaying of Justin Xiong. Demmon shot Xiong to death, then used a chainsaw to dismember his body before disposing of it behind a shed. Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit Judge Amanda S. Petty sentenced Demmon to life with the possibility of parole, in accordance with the plea agreement.
Chief Public Defender John Bradley told Petty that his client’s addiction to methamphetamine combined with mental health issues were at the root of the murder.
Petty asked Demmon many questions to ensure he understood his rights and options, include the right to a jury trial. She also questioned him concerning his mental health and ability to understand what was being said in the courtroom. Demmon told her he was taking his mental illness medication and he understood everything.
>> For more details on the murder, the court hearing on the guilty plea submission, the victim’s family’s statements in court and the murderer’s response, see the complete story in the Oct. 13 edition of The Eatonton Messenger.