Aiden Thompson, 21, was found guilty of manslaughter for killing well-known former high school athlete CJ Edwards, 22, at his house.Edwards was a basketball and football star in Fairhope.“When the verdict was being read, I honestly think everybody was holding their breath because whenever it was being read, as a family, it was a big relief,” said Ta’rhea McCovery, cousin.Fairhope investigators said he and Edwards were friends.
In June of last year, Edwards hosted a birthday party at his home off Twin Beech Road when Thompson shot and killed him with a gun police said was stolen. Now, family is pleased with the outcome. They took Thursday to celebrate Edwards’s life and honor the things he loved. “Thank you, Lord, I’m grateful,” said McCovery. “I just couldn’t think about anything other than CJ. I just felt like he was in the room smiling because we have justice for him.”Total deliberation for the jury took less than four hours.