Man charged with second-degree murder convicted of lesser crimes

A man in Sullivan County, previously charged with second-degree murder, has been convicted on a lesser charge. In 2018, investigators were looking into the death of Herman Rumbley, found dead in his home in Bluff City. James Fagans was identified as a suspect and charged with the now-dismissed second-degree murder charge. Fagans was convicted by a jury last week on the charges of voluntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery and aggravated assault. Fagans’ second-degree murder charge was dismissed, according to the Sullivan County Clerk’s Office. A sentencing hearing for Fagans has been scheduled for March 4.