A Brooks County man was sentenced Thursday to life imprisonment for murdering his longtime girlfriend on Thanksgiving Day 2010 in Quitman, according to the Southern District Attorney’s office.

Frederick Reynald Gee, 31, had faced a mandatory life sentence plus five years to  

follow due to his gun charge, said Assistant Southern District Attorney Brad Shealy. But sentencing had been pushed back several times as Gee faced attorney conflicts and a venue change from Brooks to Lowndes County.

The reality of Gee’s sentence still left his family and friends grieving outside of the courtroom annex.

“Fred was a good person and a good brother-in-law,” said Rockey Hadley. “He’s always been a good person.”

Gee was found guilty of malice murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in July when he stood trial before a Brooks County judge for a bench verdict.

During the bench trial, Gee’s defense attorney argued for manslaughter and the 20-year sentence that came along with the charge. Instead, the judge convicted Gee of malice murder.

An argument between Gee and longtime girlfriend Judy Samuel, a mother of two, ended with Samuel dead at her West Hill Avenue, Quitman, residence before she could place a call to 911 for assistance.

She was reportedly shot five times.

“Fred came from a Christian family and he was taught the fear of God,” said Gee’s aunt, Linda Griffin. “He just got entangled in some things, but he’s a good person.”