Special to The Beacon BRUNSWICK — A Brantley County teenager accused of throwing a punch resulting in the death of a popular local musician in 2022 pleaded guilty Friday to involuntary manslaughter.
Edward Aaron Hunter III, who was 17 at the time, pleaded guilty September 20 to felony Involuntary Manslaughter for punching 41-yearo l d Travis Payne April 17, 2022, while both were at a 50th birthday party at I-95 Toyota for the dealership’s owner, Travis Ostrum.
Payne, a Glynn County native, fell and hit his head and died later at Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick.
Hunter, a Waynesville resident, was arrested a few days later and charged.
Hunter
Hunter’s attorneys sought immunity from prosecution earlier this year, arguing that he acted in self-defense because they claimed Payne and he were in an altercation in which Payne was the aggressor.
Brunswick Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Stephen Scarlett said Hunter’s use of force against Payne in this case was not justified and that he could not claim self-defense.
“Even upon prompting from his father to not act tough and to tell (the officer) what he allegedly had told his father about the incident, Hunter never said he was afraid of Payne or felt threatened,” Scarlett wrote in his ruling. “When asked by (the officer) directly whether Payne was holding his hands in such a way that made Hunter think Payne was going to hit him, Hunter said ‘no.’
“Thus, the only possible justification for Hunter’s use of force here is the words exchanged between the two men. Words alone are no basis for justification under the law.”
Hunter was sentenced to serve six months in a probation detention center, to which he will report next week, and the next 10 years on probation, among other stipulations of his release.
Payne was a well-known musician and service industry worker who was remembered fondly by friends and family in the aftermath of the incident.
His sister, Tavia Harrison, who read a victim’s statement at the plea hearing, posted on social media Friday that she wanted people to know that Payne was not a violent person.
“I also wanted that young man to know that Travis’ nature was peace and that he would have no hard feelings,” she wrote in her post. “And that this young man has a second chance at life, and he needs to take it.”
