A love triangle that led to murder has resulted in a conviction for a Stockbridge man.

A Henry County jury needed only three hours November 4 to find James Blake McAllister, 41, guilty of one count of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, as well as one count each of possession of an illegal firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and tampering with evidence. All of these charges were in connection with the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend.

After the verdict was returned, Henry County Superior Court Judge Holly Veal sentenced McAllister to life plus 65 years in prison.

According to a statement by the Henry County District Attorney’s Office, McAllister was waiting in the parking lot of a Dollar General store in Stockbridge with a sawed-off shotgun on July 6, 2019 when Steven “Hawk” Nichols, 32, was meeting his girlfriend. During the confrontation that followed, McAllister pointed the weapon at Nichols as he ran away and also pointed it at a customer sitting in her car.

McAllister then went to the victim’s Stockbridge home and shot and killed him. He also pointed the gun at his ex-girlfriend. Eventually he barricaded himself inside a Clayton County house where he was arrested by SWAT officers. Police found the shotgun shotgun buried behind his home.

“This is a dangerous man who inflicted violence on three people that day. He also jeopardized the safety of law enforcement and the public,” said District Attorney Darius Pattillo. “The victim’s family is grateful to see justice served with this conviction.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brittany Forester and Chief Assistant District Attorney Debbie Venuto of the Homicide and Gang Unit.