News

On September 17, 2025, Brody Nichols of Cedartown, Georgia, was sentenced to 35 years to serve in the Department of Corrections for the offenses of Voluntary Manslaughter and Cruelty to Children in the First Degree following a trial by jury in Heard County. The Honorable Judge Erica Tisinger presided over the case and sentenced Nichols accordingly. Nichols was indicted and tried for Malice Murder, Felony Murder, and Cruelty to Children in the First Degree. A Heard County jury convicted Nichols of the lesser-included offense of Voluntary Manslaughter and Cruelty to Children in the First Degree.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Wade Mason, Senior Assistant District Attorney Jared Parrish, Chief Investigator Becky Byrd, and Co-Director of Victim/Witness Advocacy Tanya Roberts prosecuted the case. The Heard County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation and were assisted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. At trial, the facts were presented as follows:

On December 27, 2023, the Heard County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence located off of Roosterville Road in reference to a shooting. When they arrived, officers found Hunter Barrows, the victim, deceased on the floor in the living room of the residence after suffering numerous gunshot wounds to the head. Through witness testimony, Nichol’s own statements, and a video of the shooting, the evidence showed that Nichols’ had been in a relationship with a woman who was also in a relationship with the victim, Hunter Barrows. On the night of the shooting, the woman had told Nichols to move out of the residence. Hunter Barrows came to the residence that evening while Nichols was gathering his belongings. On a video recording that Nichols’ recorded himself, Nichols retrieved a firearm from his truck, walked back into the residence, confronted the unarmed Hunter Barrows and shot him twelve (12) times in the face in the presence of multiple witnesses, including the victim’s three year old daughter.

This case serves as an example of the West Georgia Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office’s commitment to the prosecution of violent crime in our community while supporting the victims and their families throughout the criminal process. This case also shows the diligent efforts of the Heard County Sheriff’s Office and the GBI, who continue to work endlessly to protect our community and prosecute violent offenders.