By Barbara Augsdorfer, editor for the Effingham Herald

Dusty Hamilton, 40, of Guyton, was sentenced to life without parole Nov. 7, according to court records. Hamilton was charged along with Richard Knaust in the 2022 murder of Wesley Thomas.

Hamilton and Knaust were tried separately and found guilty of the stabbing murder of Thomas, then setting fire to Thomas’ trailer to conceal the crime.

Hamilton was found guilty Oct. 9 of malice murder, felony murder, arson in the first degree, and felony tampering with evidence after a three-day jury trial.

Knaust was found guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, arson, and tampering with evidence after a three-day jury trial last May. The jury deliberated for 90 minutes before returning the guilty verdicts. Knaust was sentenced to life without parole on May 30.

Attorneys for Knaust and Hamilton have filed for appeal.