Murfreesboro, Tenn. — A $50 debt led to the tragic murder of 32-year-old Javarius Malone in September of 2020... That was Rutherford County District Attorney Jennings Jones.

In addition to cellphone GPS data, witness statements and security camera footage, all played key roles in the apprehension of Corey Lillard Jr. and Gregory Lyons... Just two days before the murder, Lyons had arranged to purchase a .357 pistol, according to the District Attorney.

The investigative work lead by MPD Detective Cody Thomas helped pave the road to justice... While Lyons has previously been sentenced to life in prison for the first degree murder of Malone, he will have to re-appear in court for all additional convictions in the case this September. As for Lillard, he has now been sentenced and his time behind bars will officially end on the 14th of October in year 2042.

Javarius Malone, a Smyrna High School graduate known by the nickname "Vari," was a beloved father of four boys and a former football player. He was laid to rest on October 10, 2020.