Man Convicted for Killing Stepfather in Troup County

Jury took just 30 minutes to find JonThomas Oliver Cloud guilty on all counts.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:07pm

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A Troup County jury has convicted 32-year-old JonThomas Oliver Cloud for the murder of his stepfather, Andrew Stankiewicz. Stankiewicz was shot three times in the back while riding as a passenger in a car driven by Cloud and his mother, Teresa Stankiewicz. Cloud initially claimed a couple had confronted them, but later admitted to shooting his stepfather and hiding the gun.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tragic consequences of domestic violence and the importance of thorough investigations to uncover the truth, even when the initial claims do not match the physical evidence.

The details

According to prosecutors, on October 8, 2023, Cloud and his mother were driving back to Columbus, Georgia from the Atlanta airport with Andrew Stankiewicz as a passenger. During the trip, Teresa Stankiewicz pulled over to the side of the road because she was ill. Cloud claimed a couple confronted them, but evidence showed the shots came from the back of the vehicle, through the victim's seat. When confronted with this, Cloud admitted to shooting his stepfather and hiding the gun.

  • On October 8, 2023, the shooting incident occurred on the interstate.
  • On January 30, 2026, a Troup County jury convicted Cloud on all counts after just 30 minutes of deliberation.

The players

JonThomas Oliver Cloud

The 32-year-old stepson of the victim who was convicted of murdering his stepfather.

Andrew Stankiewicz

The victim who was shot three times in the back while riding as a passenger in a car driven by his wife and stepson.

Teresa Stankiewicz

The wife of the victim and mother of the perpetrator, who was driving the car during the incident.

John Cranford

The District Attorney of the Coweta Judicial Circuit who prosecuted the case.

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What they’re saying

“Cloud tried to claim that he acted in self-defense and in defense of his mother but could not provide any specifics regarding threats or acts of violence committed by the victim.”

— John Cranford, District Attorney

What’s next

The judge will determine Cloud's sentence at a later date.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the importance of thorough investigations and the need to address domestic violence and family conflicts before they escalate to violence. It also highlights the justice system's role in holding perpetrators accountable, even in cases where the initial claims do not align with the physical evidence.