A 31-year-old Pelion man has been convicted of killing two men whose bodies were found in a shallow grave in Aiken County. Norman Edwin Starnes could get the death penalty or life in prison. The sentencing phase of his trial is to begin Wednesday. A Lexington County jury deliberated less than two hours Monday before finding Mr. Starnes guilty of murder. Jared Lee Champlin, 26, and Bill Welborn, 51, were fatally shot in Mr. Starnes' home in January 1996. Four months later, sheriff's deputies found the decomposed bodies in a 4-foot grave in a wooded area. Defense lawyer Lourie Salley told jurors Mr. Starnes killed the men in self-defense. He said Mr. Champlin and Mr. Welborn were high on cocaine and intended to confront Mr. Starnes about $40 he allegedly stole from Mr. Welborn. Prosecutor Donnie Myers said Mr. Starnes planned to kill the men, lied to police and the victims' friends and tried to cover up his crime by burying the bodies.

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