Retired Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jermaine Ray Mealy plead guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter Tuesday morning in the death of Nathaniel Brown prior to the start of jury selection for a scheduled trial in Liberty County Superior Court. Liberty County Superior Court Judge Jay Stewart presided over the proceedings.

Mealy was sentenced to 20 years of probation, suspended five years, a $500 fine plus fees and required anger management.

Mealy was initially charged with felony murder in the shooting death of Brown, which occurred inside Mealy’s home on Waverly Court in Hinesville four years ago. Other charges brought against Mealy had included aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies.
Mealy was stationed at Fort Polk, La., and was attending military training in Texas when he reportedly received a phone call from his then wife informing him that their Hinesville residence had been burglarized. 
His former wife, Lisa Mealy, told Mealy she was fine and police were investigating. 
Mealy drove home overnight to check and allegedly found Brown in the couple’s bedroom. A fight ensued and Brown was shot several times. He was later pronounced dead at Liberty Regional Medical Center. 
Mealy was granted bond in July 2015 at $50,000 on the condition he have no contact with any witnesses.

Mealy has since remarried and his current wife was present in the courtroom. Brown’s brother, Nigel Brown, spoke to the court, expressing his disappointment with Mealy’s manslaughter plea.

Nigel Brown said he had hoped for a trial, so that he could learn the details of his brother’s death.

Brown’s daughter, Dy’Asia Brown, told the court that she has experienced depression and severe anxiety requiring therapy since her father’s death.