Case Against Johnny Ray Wilburn Nears Conclusion in Blount County Court
MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) – The jury trial of a Walland man accused of killing three people in a house fire is expected to enter its final phase Tuesday as jurors prepare to deliberate.
The case centers on Johnny Ray Wilburn, who is charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree murder, in connection with a deadly fire that occurred in January 2025 on Payne Hollow Road in Walland.
Investigators allege Wilburn intentionally set the fire, resulting in the deaths of Norma Farley, Delmar Farley and Cas Farley.
The tragedy shocked the Walland community and devastated family members who described the victims as generous, caring people who were always willing to help others.
Following the fire, family member Stephanie Cook told WVLT that the three victims were known for opening their home to those in need.
“They’d give you the shirt off their back if you needed a place to stay; they would invite you into their home,” Cook said following the tragedy. “It’s a huge loss. I mean it’s a whole family we lost on both sides.”
Throughout the trial, prosecutors have sought to prove that Wilburn was responsible for intentionally setting the fire that destroyed the home and claimed the lives of all three victims.
Wilburn, identified by family members as the son of Norma Farley’s former husband, has faced a lengthy legal process since his arrest.
With testimony and arguments nearing completion, jurors are expected to receive the case and begin deliberating on whether Wilburn is guilty of the charges against him.
A conviction on the first-degree murder counts could carry severe penalties under Tennessee law.
The verdict will determine the next chapter in a case that has drawn significant attention across Blount County since the fatal fire nearly two years ago.
