Man In Sexting Stabbing Of Girlfriend Kinaya Byrd Found Guilty Of Murder

HENRY COUNTY, Ga. - A man accused of killing his girlfriend was found guilty of felony murder on Friday. He said graphic text messages drove him to commit the crime.

Dana McFarlane was accused in the killing of his girlfriend, Rivers Edge elementary school teacher Kinaya Byrd.

McFarlane was found guilty of malice murder, felony murder and kidnapping. His defense team had hoped for a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter.

On Thursday, Channel 2’s GA Daily News went to the Henry County courtroom where each side made its case.

Police said McFarlane chased Byrd out of her Stockbridge home in February, then dragged her back inside before killing her.

”This is Ms. Byrd’s robe that she was wearing when she ran outside screaming from Mr. McFarlane, Henry County prosecutor Blair Mahaffey said, holding a robe up to jurors.

He also showed the jury the seven-inch knife that McFarlane said he used to kill Byrd.

McFarlane said he found graphic sexual texts from another man on his girlfriend’s phone and lost his mind. His attoey said he acted out of sudden passion and is only guilty of voluntary manslaughter.

Prosecutors countered by saying the text messages were no reason to murder Byrd.

”I don't know of anybody that was in a situation like he was that wouldn't be upset, but you don't get to kill somebody for that, Mahaffey said.