RELEASE: Joseph Mays Pleads Guilty to Malice Murder

CATOOSA COUNTY — On February 10, 2026 Joseph Mays, a 34 year old man from Griffin, Georgia, pled guilty to Malice Murder for the murder of his girlfriend Jamie Wiley, a 36 year old Michigan woman. Mays and Wiley, who had only been dating for a few short months, were living in Wiley’s camper at an RV park in Catoosa County.

On the evening of January 17, 2025, Mays shot Wiley in the head while the two were inside the camper. Mays then attempted to conceal the crime by dumping Wiley’s body near the creek alongside the Chief Richard Taylor Nature Trail in Ringgold.

On the morning after the murder, members of a walking group located Wiley’s body off the trail. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation began investigating the crime.

Because Mays had removed Wiley’s phone and wallet, her identity was unknown for the first 48 hours following the discovery of her body. After determining Wiley’s identity through her fingerprints, GBI agents were quickly directed to Mays by Wiley’s relatives. Agents interviewed Mays, and he confessed to killing Wiley, although he claimed he had acted in self-defense. However, the physical evidence along with Mays actions after the murder were not consistent with a justifiable homicide.

Mays was scheduled for a jury trial in March 2026 and appeared in the Catoosa County Superior Court on February 10 for pretrial motions. At the conclusion of pretrial motions, Mays elected to enter a guilty plea to Malice Murder. Superior Court Judge Don W. Thompson sentenced Mays to serve life in the Georgia Department of Corrections. After the service of 30 years, Mays may become eligible for parole.

Agent Will Gee with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Acting District Attorney Deanna Reisman with assistance from Chief Investigator Christy Smith, Victim Advocate Shelby Armstrong, and Legal Assistant Leann Black.

From Acting District Attorney Deanna Reisman, “While no sentence can ever restore the life that was taken or erase the pain inflicted, the outcome in this case delivers accountability, protects our community, and sends a message that domestic violence will be prosecuted with the full force of the law. Jamie’s family supported this guilty plea and life sentence as it showed that Mays finally accepted responsibility for Jamie’s murder.”