Oconee Co murder trial date set, Rabun Co man arrested, Covington man convicted

There is an October 7 trial date in the case of David Blanton. He's facing a murder charge in the March 2017 shooting death of Athens businessman Michael Blanton, who was the founder and president of Dalton Carpet One. David Blanton is 31 years old; Michael Blanton was 62. He was shot and killed at his home in Oconee County. 

A Rabun County man is charged with attempted murder and arson: 35 year-old Al Lococo Jr is from Clayton. He is accused of setting the fire that burned earlier this month off Highway 441 in Rabun Gap. The blaze burned an RV with a man inside; the victim is still hospitalized at Grady. The Rabun County Sheriff's Office says charges against Lococo include aggravated battery and false imprisonment.

A man who was charged with trying to killed his wife in Newton County is convicted in Covington. Prosecutors say Terrell Bennett snuck into his estranged wife's bedroom and shot her after driving down from Tennessee in March of last year. Bennett was found guilty on charges that included attempted murder, home invasion, and aggravated assault. 

The Atlanta Braves will honor Covington Police Officer Matt Cooper during tonight's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Cooper continues his recovery from last year's shooting: he was shot in the face while chasing a robbery suspect who was later shot and killed by other Newton County law enforcement officers. First pitch for tonight's Braves get is set for just after 7 o'clock at SunTrust Park.