In the quiet community of Cartersville, Virginia, the summer of 2007 was marked by a tragedy that would leave a lasting impact. On August 15, 2007, Gary McClinton, a 36-year-old White / Caucasian male, passed away under violent circumstances. His death was not an accident, but a deliberate act that would later be determined as murder, setting in motion a criminal investigation that would bring a killer to justice.
The loss of McClinton, son of the late Tommie McClinton and Rose Mayo McClinton, was deeply felt by his family and all who knew him.
The investigation into Gary McClinton's death led to the arrest of James Javar W. Brown of Richmond. The case culminated in a trial held at the Cumberland County Circuit Court, where the evidence against Brown was presented to a jury of twelve. After deliberation, the jury found James Javar W. Brown guilty of the first-degree murder of Gary McClinton. In addition to the murder conviction, Brown was also found guilty of using or displaying a firearm in a threatening manner.
The Honorable Richard S. Blanton presided over the case and, following the jury's verdict, handed down the conviction. This legal conclusion brought a sense of justice to the grieving family and friends of Gary McClinton. While the conviction could not erase the pain of their loss, it held the person responsible for his untimely death accountable for their actions. The funeral services for Gary McClinton were held at the Little Fork Baptist Church in Cartersville, where he was laid to rest in the church cemetery, leaving behind a community to mourn and remember a life cut short.
