Two men charged with murder in lake drowning

AUGUSTA - Two men, including one who is currently overseas in the military, have been accused in the April drowning death of a man in Lake Olmstead. <br> <br> The Richmond County grand jury indicted Gary Riles Payne and John Christopher Kuykendall Tuesday on murder charges in the death of Marty Thomas Gibson, 48. <br> <br> Payne was arrested Tuesday but Kuykendall was not. He is currently on military duty in Kuwait. <br> <br> Kuykendall was stationed at Fort Gordon in April. <br> <br> District Attorney Danny Craig told The Augusta Chronicle that Kuykendall would be brought back soon to face the murder charge. <br> <br> ``This is a very interesting case, from a factual and legal basis,&#39;&#39; Craig told the Augusta newspaper, adding that it appeared Payne and Kuykendall had not known Gibson perviously. ``It&#39;s not very hard (to arrange Kuykendall&#39;s return) because he&#39;s in the military.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Gibson, who was mentally disabled, was found floating in Lake Olmstead April 18. Gibson was seen by neighbors at 3 a.m. outside his home, drinking heavily. Five hours later, a fisherman found him a mile away near the Broad Street bridge. <br> <br> A tow truck operator who was called to the scene was able to identify Gibson. <br> <br> Relatives said Gibson, who lived with his father and stepmother, was mentally disabled and suffered epileptic seizures.

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