Updated 3/9/20

A Lawrence County jury found Timothy Rowden guilty of second degree murder, felony murder, aggravated arson, and especially aggravated robbery.

The jury heard proof Friday in a sentencing phase of the trial, where they had to choose between life with the possibility of parole and life without the possibility of parole.

The jury handed down a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

Roden was arrested in June of 2018 and charged with the death of 50 year old Connis "Butch" Blake, whose remains were recovered after a house fire at Ethridge Red Hill Road in Ethridge on January 21st, 2018.

Rowden was one of three men arrested in connection with the murder.

The case was investigated by the Lawrence County Sheriff's Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.