May not guilty in fatal 2001 strangling, arson

Feb. 15– In a case without any physical evidence linking him to the crime, John Wesley May was found not guilty this evening of the 2001 slaying of a Savannah woman.

The defendant, who did not take the stand, showed little reaction as Hardin County Circuit Court Judge Creed McGinley read the verdict following about four hours of jury deliberations and a 1-1/2 day trial.

The case took nearly a decade to investigate. In 2009, then-governor Phil Bredesen offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in the killing.

May was accused of first degree murder in the death of 59-year-old Mildred Grant at her Edna Street home in Savannah.

The state contended May strangled Grant when he entered her home to rob her, and then tried to burn the house down to cover up the evidence.

May, 33, was also found not guilty on charges of especially aggravated robbery, aggravated arson and tampering with evidence.

(For complete coverage, read the upcoming print edition.)