Former Richmond County Deputy Sentenced to Life for Girlfriend’s Murder
A former Richmond County Deputy was sentenced to life in prison today for the 2020 murder of his girlfriend in Augusta.
Jason Cunningham, who was married at the time, shot and killed a Florida woman authorities say he had been having an affair with while she was visiting here. Investigators say she reportedly didn’t know he was married.
Investigators say Cunningham shot 37-year-old Nicole Harrington in the back of the head in the parking garage elevator, at the Augusta Convention Center on Reynolds Street, then left her for dead.
Cunningham took off and headed toward the lake where police found him at Pointes West Army Resort in Appling. An 8-hour standoff ensued before Cunningham was finally taken into custody and confessed to killing Harrington.
He pleaded guilty to Malice Murder and was sentenced today to life in prison plus 5 years for Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.
Cunningham worked for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for 18 years before he was fired for failing drug tests. He was working for Forces United at the time of his arrest.
