Memorials for Victims

Criminal Details

WTVY.com
April Davis, Sharifa Jackson - Oct 04, 2016

Victim, driver in Dale Co. fatal hit and run both identified

DALE COUNTY, Ala.-- Authorities now know the identity of the man involved in the fatal hit and run accident, known as 53 year old Sammie Littlefield Jr. of Clio, the owner of a Ford F-150.

Authorities have been in contact with Littlefield, and conducted a number of interviews, but at this time, he has not been arrested or charged in relation to the accident.

Littlefield reportedly says as the time of the accident, he thought he had hit a deer and continued driving.

On Saturday, police received a call releasing information of possible involvement.

“He was escorted to the police department, we spoke about the incident, and it was indeed the truck that hit the individual," said Newton Police Chief, James Gresham.

Authorities are now confirming that the accident happened around 7 p.m. Thursday evening.

Police are now waiting for subpoenas, medical records, toxicology and other paperwork to be forwarded to the district attorney's office to decide if there will be any pending charges.

The case could potentially be forwarded to the grand jury.

The case remains under investigation.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A body found in Dale County Friday morning in a ditch on Alabama Highway 123 near the intersection of Dale County Road 43 near the town of Newton has been identified as 32-year-old Justin Wallace of Daleville.

Law enforcement got call about an unresponsive man on side of road who was believed to have been hit by a vehicle. The Dale County coroner confirms Wallace died due to multiple blunt force trauma injuries from a vehicle.

Investigators pieced together a headlight to determine the type of vehicle which might have hit Wallace so they can find the hit and run driver.

Source: View WTVY.com Article

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WSFA.com
WSFA 12 News Staff | August 2, 2016 at 3:20 PM CDT - Updated July 24 at 4:08 PM

Suspect in 'execution' outside Dothan nightclub arrested

DOTHAN, AL (WSFA) - The suspect in a weekend homicide investigation in Dothan is now in custody and is being held without bond, according to the Dothan Police Department.

Brandon Allen Ransom, 29, is accused of fatally shooting Chris Bailey, 26, outside a nightclub in the 1100 block of Montgomery Highway early Saturday morning.

Capt. Will Benny with the Dothan Police Dept. called the shooting an "execution". Bailey was shot five times around 1:30 Saturday morning. Benny said the victim was shot once in the arm and once in the leg. "He fell to the ground, and the suspect...stood over and shot him three more times."

Bailey's body was found in the Plum's Lounge overflow parking lot in front of Piggly Wiggly, and he was pronounced dead on the scene.

Benny confirmed both the suspect and victim had been inside the lounge at some point prior to the shooting. "Was it a direct result of the club? Probably not," he added.

Benny would not comment on a possible motive, though he confirmed it "was not a robbery. He [Ransom] went there to kill this man."

An investigation is ongoing and more arrests are possible.

Copyright 2016 WSFA 12 News. All rights reserved.

Source: View WSFA.com Article

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DothanEagle.com
Michele Forehand Aug 6, 2019

Trial rescheduled for Dothan man facing murder charges

second trial has been rescheduled for September for a Dothan man whose first murder charge was dismissed.

Brandon Allen Ransom, 31, is charged with murder in the July 30, 2016, ambush shooting of 26-year-old Christopher “Chris” Bailey. His trial was scheduled to begin the last week of September 2018, but all the state witnesses did not cooperate by attending the trial, and the charge was dismissed by then-Circuit Judge Michael Conaway.

A Houston County grand jury indicted Ransom a second time on the murder charges in November 2018, and Ransom was re-arrested in January.

Ransom’s defense attorney James Parkman entered a plea of not guilty and waived Ransom’s arraignment hearing Feb. 4.

Ransom’s trial, originally set for Aug. 5, is now tentatively scheduled for Sept. 23 before Houston County Circuit Judge Butch Binford.

Dothan Police Investigator Jared Bladen testified during Ransom’s bail hearing, saying police had two eyewitnesses who identified Ransom as the shooter in an “unprovoked ambush attack” outside a local nightclub that left Bailey dead.

Bladen said Ransom shot Bailey as he walked back to his car outside the Plum’s Lounge nightclub located on Montgomery Highway. Police responded to what was initially reported as a critical firearm assault outside the nightclub, and arrived to find the victim dead in the parking lot, Bladen said.

Bailey suffered seven gunshot wounds during the shooting, including one to the head, two to the back, two more to the chest, and another to the arm and leg, Bladen testified.

Ransom is currently out of jail on a $60,000 bond.

Source: View DothanEagle.com Article

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DothanEagle.com
Michele Forehand Oct 23, 2019 Updated Oct 23, 2019

Trial continued for Dothan man charged with murder

A second trial has been continued until December for a Dothan man whose first murder charge was dismissed.

Brandon Allen Ransom, 31, is charged with murder in the July 30, 2016, ambush shooting of 26-year-old Christopher “Chris” Bailey.

Ransom’s trial was scheduled to begin this week, but defense attorney James Parkman III filed a motion requesting his client’s jury trial be continued.

The motion said Parkman did not receive a copy of the trial docket and was scheduled to be out of state Tuesday.

A Houston County grand jury indicted Ransom a second time on the murder charges in November 2018, and Ransom was re-arrested in January.

Ransom previously entered a plea of not guilty.

Houston County Circuit Judge Butch Binford issued an order granting the continuance, and tentatively scheduled Ransom’s jury trial for Dec. 2.

Dothan Police Investigator Jared Bladen testified during Ransom’s bail hearing, saying police had two eyewitnesses who identified Ransom as the shooter in an “unprovoked ambush attack” outside a local nightclub that left Bailey dead.

Bladen said Ransom shot Bailey as he walked back to his car outside the Plum’s Lounge nightclub located on Montgomery Highway. Police responded to what was initially reported as a critical firearm assault outside the nightclub, and arrived to find the victim dead in the parking lot, Bladen said.

Bailey suffered seven gunshot wounds during the shooting, including one to the head, two to the back, two more to the chest, and another to the arm and leg, Bladen testified.

Ransom is currently out of jail on a $60,000 bond.

Source: View DothanEagle.com Article

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WTVY.com
By Nicholas Phillips - Jul 28, 2016

15 Year Old Is Killed In An Accident Near His Home

NEWVILLE, AL (WTVY) The Jenkins family will never be the same as their 15 year old son was killed Wednesday, in a violent collision.

"It's very tragic seeing the family living right next door. it's a close knit community. he lived right next to his grandmother and he would be been 16 in a couple of days", said A.L.E.A. Troooper Kevin Cook.

Cody Jenkins was just taking out the trash, “bringing in some trash cans” as Cook put it when he was hit and flung approximately 150 feet away by a Chevrolet Impala. He was killed as a result of 27 year old Jeremey Carruthers of Abbeville, swerving, along County Road 73 in Newville.

"In this community that we live in everybody knows everybody. you may not know them personally but you know their parents or know their grandparents", said Derek Wright, the Coroner who was on the scene.

Wright went on to mention that Jenkins’ grandfather actually use to work for Fire and Rescue and they’ve worked together on a number of cases. Jenkins said he didn’t know Jenkins’ grandson, personally but he has children that did. In a small community everyone knows everyone. But still Wright said the teens grandfather never imagined he’d have another scene, just this time would be for a relative.

"That’s what the granddaddy was telling me. he said i've. said as many times as we've worked wrecks and said i never thought I’d be here in my own front yard and be my own grandson”, said Wright.

For Carruthers, he was not injured on the scene after also hitting two other cars and not coming to a stop until he hit an electric pole. He is charged with murder and is currently being held at the Henry county jail. His blood was drawn, to see if he was under the influence.

Source: View WTVY.com Article

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WTYY.com
Press Release: Enterprise Police Department - April 12, 2016

On April 11, 2016, at 6:51 PM, the Enterprise Police Department responded to a shooting at Boulevard Apartments 1320 Rucker Blvd. Enterprise, AL. Upon arrival, EPD Officers discovered a male victim with two gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to the hospital and is in critical condition at this time.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that the suspect fled the scene driving a light in color compact car. The suspect is described as a black male in his early 20’s wearing blue jeans, red shirt, and black shoes. This is an active investigation and no further information will be released at this time.

The Enterprise Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID) is conducting this investigation and asks that anyone with additional information to contact the Enterprise Police Department at (334) 347-2222 or leave us a tip at www.enterprisepd.com.

Source: View WTVY.com Article

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DothanFirst.com
Valencia Jones - Undated

The number of shootings in Enterprise continues to mount, with the first April incident at the Daleville Lounge and the second on Flemming Street. Then, on April 11, 2016, a 911 call led police to the Boulevard Apartments, where the third shooting took place.

“When officers arrived on scene, they discovered a young male with two gunshot wounds. He was immediately transported to the hospital,” said Sergeant Billy Haglund with the Enterprise Police Department.

The victim was identified as Thurston Yavari Allen of Daleville, who died at the hospital hours later. A search is now underway for the suspect, who witnesses say drove away in a light-colored compact car.

"The suspect is described as a young black male in his early twenties, wearing a red shirt, blue jeans and black shoes,” Haglund said.

Haglund said the number of shootings is unusual.

"Usually, in the summertime, we have an increase in criminal activity. I think that's nationwide. But, for this time of year, I think it's pretty atypical,” he said.

There is no word yet on the relationship between the suspect and victim involved in the incident last night. The suspects in that case and in the Daleville Lounge shooting both remain at large.

"We're working with other law enforcement agencies to try and apprehend the suspect from a previous investigation, and everybody in our investigation division is pretty much working around the clock to try and run down leads and follow up and interview witnesses,” said Haglund.

Anyone with information should contact the Enterprise Police Department at 347-2222. Anonymous tips can be submitted online at www.enterprisepd.com.

Source: View DothanFirst.com Article

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DothanFirst.com
Valencia Jones - Dec. 12, 2016

Thurston and Carlisha Allen saw their son's alleged killer face-to-face in court on December 12, 2016 for the first time.

"He looked at me smiling and laughing. How can you look at somebody's mother that you have taken their child and smile and laugh like you have done nothing wrong,” said Carlisha.

Thomanta Jones is accused of shooting their son Yavari Allen back in April at the Boulevard Apartments in Enterprise.

Judge Chris Kaminski agreed to reduce Jones's bond from $350,000.00 $75,000.00.

"[I'm] not pleased. I'm very upset, because he's a menace. He's just a menace to society, and I feel like the bond was too low, and he's going to be out before the end of the day,” Carlisha said.

"I just can't believe it. You know, you have somebody that's got caught with drugs and fire arms and other cases, and you're letting him out on the street,” said Thurston.

The defense attorney told Kaminski there was no confession and a gun was never found. The prosecution said there was no preliminary hearing confirming those findings.

"Judge Kaminski had not heard any of the facts that we believe to be evidence against Mr. Jones in assisting us in being able to prove his guilt, so the comments that Mr. Harrison made were a bit premature in that respect. The investigation is ongoing,” said Assistant District Attorney Josh Wilson.

Kaminski said he is not allowed to comment on the case.

"All I can do is ask God to put some kindness in my heart, because right now, the Bible says you can't get into heaven with hate in your heart. I'm going to hell if I die today,” said Carlisha.

They're hoping for a different outcome at the end of the trial.

"There's still a God. It ain't over. It's a long way from being over,” she said.

Jones was still in custody at the Coffee County Jail later in the evening. If he is released on bond, the judge has required him to meet an 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. curfew, with the exception of traveling to a job. He is also prohibited from making any contact with the Allen family.

Source: View DothanFirst.com Article

Criminal Details

Disability-Memorial.org
Undated

Name: James Matthew Hill
Died: February 18, 2016
Age at death: 33
Cause of death: Murder
Location: Enterprise, Alabama, USA
Disability: Cerebral palsy

Details:James was murdered by his roommate, who had also been his caregiver. He was bound, blindfolded, and repeatedly stabbed.

Neighbors remember James as “a blessing” who would do anything for others. They often saw him going to a nearby restaurant, where he ate nearly every day.

Perpetrator: David Cunningham (Caregiver; roommate); charged with murder.

Source: WBRC.com

WBRC.com
Rae Larkins - February 20, 2016

ENTERPRISE, AL (WSFA) - A man has been charged in a stabbing death in Enterprise Thursday.

David Cunningham, 20, was arrested and charged with capital murder in the death of 33-year-old James Matthew Hill.

Investigators were called to a home in the 100 block of Walding Street shortly after 3 p.m. where they found Hill's body in the living room. He'd been bound, blindfolded, and stabbed numerous times in the head, neck, and shoulders, police said.

"I've seen a lot of terrible scenes in my career, and in terms it was a very brutal murder," said Enterprise Police Chief T.D Jones.

Coffee County Sheriff's deputies found Cunningham around an hour later on the north end of the county and transported him to the police department for questioning. Enterprise police say the suspect was charged with capital murder around 11 p.m. despite refusing to speak with detectives.

Neighbors say the victim suffered from cerebral palsy and seizures and that they believe Cunningham was supposed to be caring for him.

"It bothers me because I love both of them, and both of them was good to me," said Lola-Faye Ross, a neighbor.

Cunningham had a preliminary hearing Friday morning. In addition to the capital murder charge, he's facing robbery charges after property was found on him during his arrest.

Cunningham faces the possibility of life in prison or the death penalty in this case. He remains in the Coffee County Jail without bond.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Enterprise police at 334-347-2222 or leave a tip at www.enterprisepd.com.

WTVY.com
Kim Allen - February 19, 2016

On February 18, 2016, at 3:08 PM, the Enterprise Police Department initiated a death investigation in the 100 Block of Walding Street Enterprise, AL. The investigation started yesterday afternoon when the EPD Criminal Investigations Division was contacted by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office with information on a possible body in Enterprise, AL. At 4:11 PM, the CCSO located the suspect in the North end of Coffee County without incident. The CCSO transported the suspect to the Enterprise Police Department for questioning.

Enterprise Police Department Detectives discovered the victim deceased in the residence on Walding Street. The victim was located in the living room of the residence bound and blindfolded. The victim received multiple stab wounds to the head, neck, and shoulders. The victim has been identified as James Matthew Hill, age 33, of 110 Walding Street Apt. A Enterprise, AL.

On February 18, 2016 at 10:58 PM, the Enterprise Police Department arrested and charged David Montel Cunningham, age 20, of Enterprise, AL with Capital Murder. Cunningham refused to speak with Detectives and was transported to the Coffee County Jail after arrest.

The Enterprise Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID) is conducting this investigation. Although an arrest has been made, the EPD asks that anyone with additional information to contact the Enterprise Police Department at (334) 347-2222 or leave us a tip at www.enterprisepd.com.

UPDATE 2/19/2016

Enterprise Police have arrested David Cunningham on murder charges connected to Thursday's suspicious death investigation.

Investigators say Cunningham stabbed 33-year-old James Hill to death. Police found the victim bound and gagged.

Cunningham is being held without bond.

Press Release from Enterprise Police Department

On February 18, 2016, at 3:08 PM, the Enterprise Police Department initiated a death investigation in the 100 Block of Walding Street Enterprise, AL. The investigation started yesterday afternoon when the EPD Criminal Investigations Division was contacted by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office with information on a possible body in Enterprise, AL. At 4:11 PM, the CCSO located the suspect in the North end of Coffee County without incident. The CCSO transported the suspect to the Enterprise Police Department for questioning.

Criminal Details

DothanFirst.com
Valencia Jones - January 9, 2016

Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza held a press conference on January 9, 2016, announcing the arrests of the following individuals:

• Pamela Henderson Whitaker, 45, of Cottondale, Florida
• Eric Lance West, 35, of Slocomb, Alabama
• Joshua Steven Nance, 37, of Dothan, Alabama
• Dama Nell Clark, 41, of Dothan, Alabama

All were charged with capital murder in the shooting death of Paxton Wayne Kennedy, 23, which took place on Hartzog Road in Wicksburg, Alabama. Nance and Clark are in custody at the Bay County Jail awaiting extradition back to Alabama.

Whitaker and West will face capital murder charges under the complicity law, labeling them as accessories to the crime. Valenza said they have identified the shooter and motive, but declined to release that information, as the case remains under investigation. He did say, however, that all of the suspects knew the victim, he was the intended target, and to his knowledge, there is no blood relation between the victim and suspects.

Authorities said a 911 call on January 4, 2016, led them to the scene where Kennedy was found dead in a Nissan pickup truck from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Valenza said tips and other information led investigators to Panama City, Florida, where sufficient evidence was collected and helped them identify and charge the suspects.

Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved, including the Bay County and Jackson County Sheriff's Offices, the U.S. Marshal Gulf Coast and N.W. Regional Task Forces,, the Panama City and Dothan Police Departments, ATF P.C. Unit, Drug Enforcement Administration, ALEA, and Houston County District Attorney's Office.

Valenza said the motive may be released in the next few days at a preliminary hearing.

Criminal Details

SoutheastSun.com
Cassie Gibbs - Dec 13, 2017 Updated Dec 13, 2017

Murder suspect keeps bond following hearing

An Enterprise man suspected of murder will keep his bond after a bond revocation hearing held before District Judge Chris Kaminski on Monday, Dec. 11.

Joshua Mark Richard, 35, is the suspect in the murder of Joey Chandler, who was found deceased in a car at the Coffee County Stockyard in New Brockton on Dec. 22, 2015.

When he was first arrested and charged with homicide, Joshua Richard was held in the Coffee County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

Assistant District Attorney Josh Wilson told the court the state withdrew bond revocation charges during an Aug. 8, 2016, bond revocation hearing before Circuit Judge Shannon Clark.

According to intake reports, Joshua Richard was brought back to the Coffee County Jail on Friday, Dec. 1. Joshua Richard was charged with third-degree criminal mischief.

The first witness during the hearing was Joshua Richard's mother, Danette Chestnut.

Chestnut testified that she woke up one morning and heard what she said sounded like gunshots. She said she realized it was her windshield being busted, though she could not see her windshield from the window of her home.

She said she could see a white Lexus parked behind her car, which she said was that of her other son, Jeremy Richard. Chestnut said Jeremy Richard suffers from PTSD.

She said after she heard the gunshot-like noise, someone began to bang on her front door.

After a few moments of someone banging on her door and breaking her windshield, Chestnut said she looked back out of her window and saw an individual, who she said was one of her sons, running around the white Lexus in her yard. She said she did not see the face of the individual, only the back of the head. She said she knew the person as her son.

Chestnut said she saw the white Lexus drive away, and she said she believed Joshua Richard was the driver of the vehicle. She said she called her mother, then her husband and the police after the incident occurred.

Chestnut said Jeremy Richard helped Joshua Richard bond out of jail and lived with him. She said after he helped Joshua Richard out of jail, he never spoke to the family.

She said she received a message from Jeremy Richard after the incident where he admitted to busting her windshield.

Chestnut said she received a call from Joshua Richard while he was being held at the Coffee County Jail. During the call, she said he told her that he did not take part in the incident.

Chestnut told the court she also found a letter in her grandson's room that she believed was from Joshua Richard to Jeremy Richard.

She described the letter as "threatening."

The end of the letter, which Chestnut read to the court, included the phrase "will be 10 times more powerful than busting a windshield." She said the letter was signed by Mark, Joshua Richard's middle name.

Don Bush, Jeremy and Joshua Richard's stepfather, was then called to testify. He testified that he received a call from Joshua Richard while police were at his house following the incident.

Bush said Joshua Richard told him he needed to explain what happened. He said Joshua Richard told him that he was at Walmart and he found Jeremy Richard at their home.

Bush said he mentioned $3,000 for a bond amount that was paid, and he said Joshua Richard became upset about the amount being the cost for a windshield.

Jeremy Richard was the final witness in the hearing.

He testified that he broke Chestnut's windshield, and he said he told no one, including Joshua Richard, that he planned to break his mother's windshield.

He testified that he broke his mother's windshield by himself, and he said he tried to open the sliding glass door to her home, but it was locked.

Jeremy Richard said he drove a white Lexus and left before police arrived. He also said he had no knowledge of a letter that referenced a broken windshield.

Kaminski reinstated Joshua Richard's previous bond requirements following testimony.

Source: View SoutheastSun.com Article

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SoutheastSun.com
Michelle Mann - Jul 31, 2018 Updated Aug 1, 2018

Man charged with murder back in Coffee County Jail

An Enterprise man charged with murder is back in the Coffee County Jail.

Joshua Mark Richard, 35, was arrested July 25 after being charged with first-degree receiving stolen property and fourth-degree receiving stolen property in Houston County.

Richard is the suspect in the murder of Joey Chandler, who was found dead in a car at the Coffee County Stockyard in New Brockton on Dec. 22, 2015.

When he was first arrested and charged with homicide, Richard was held in the Coffee County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

At the time of the arrest, Coffee County Chief Deputy Ronnie Whitworth said Chandler had died "execution style from a single gunshot wound to the head" by what was believed to have been a small-caliber weapon.

The shooting occurred at the stockyard in the front parking lot approximately 15-20 feet from the roadway, according to Kenny Davis, an investigator with the Coffee County Sheriff's Office.

Source: View SoutheastSun.com Article

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SoutheastSun.com
Justin Blowers & Michelle Mann - Oct 23, 2018 Updated Oct 24, 2018

Murder trial ends in manslaughter plea deal

“Sometimes these things end in a whimper instead of a bang,” said renowned Enterprise attorney Paul Young after a plea deal was struck. “This is a tragedy all around.”

Joshua Mark Richard, 35, was sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in a state prison with a split minimum of four years active in a state penitentiary and four years active supervised probation on Oct. 22.

Richards was originally arrested and charged with homicide in relation to the murder of Joey Chandler on $150,000 bail.

Chandler was found dead in a car at the Coffee County Stockyard in New Brockton on Dec, 22, 2015.

At the time of the arrest, Coffee County Chief Deputy Ronnie Whitworth said Chandler had died "execution style from a single gunshot wound to the head" by what was believed to have been a small-caliber weapon.

Richard was then arrested on July 25, 2018, and charged with first-degree receiving stolen property and fourth-degree receiving stolen property.

The defense and prosecution both agreed that Richard had 714 days of jail credit to put towards his four years in a penitentiary so he will only have to spend about two years in prison.

Richard was surrounded by counsel, attorneys Young, Sonny Reagan and James Tarbox as he told Circuit Judge Shannon Clark that he wanted to enter a guilty plea for manslaughter as part of a plea deal, which was accepted.

Twelfth Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney Jeff Moore said that the plea deal had “the blessing” of the victim’s family.

The deal was struck during a recess that was only supposed to be 10 minutes before the trial would resume.

“No search warrant was issued for a (gun) shell casing that was never found?” was the question asked of a Coffee County Sheriff’s Department Deputy at a hearing held before Clark on Thursday, Oct, 18. “Correct,” the deputy replied.

During the hearing held before the start of the Oct. 22 jury trial, testimony from Coffee County Sheriff’s Deputy Ken Davis revealed that he could not prove the existence of a warrant to search the three vehicles that had been searched by law enforcement investigators in connection with the Dec. 22, 2015 shooting death.

In addition to not being able to produce proof of a search warrant’s existence, Davis said that no gun or bullet shell casing was ever found. “There was no evidence in the vehicle that we found tying (Richard) to the murder,” Davis told the court.

Richard’s attorneys also also told the court that after his arrest their client had requested an attorney at least six times during his hours-long interview with two sheriff’s department deputies.

When Davis told the court that Richard had not, in fact, requested legal advice, Reagan asked the 30-year law enforcement veteran to read aloud from Page 2, Page 7, Page 17, Page 22, Page 26 and Page 28 of the transcript of a recorded conversation the law enforcers had with Richard the night he was arrested. In each instance, Richard asked for legal assistance.

“We are not suggesting to the court that the weather ought to affect the constitutional rights of Mark Richard,” Young asked when Davis told the court that the excessive rains and cold weather that night prevented the law officers from a detailed search of the vicinity where they believe the gun would be found.

Reagan had Davis read aloud Page 16, Page 29, page 57, and Page 93 of the 95-page transcript in which Richard said he was hungry and was told he could have a cheeseburger once he told the law officers the location of the gun, that was never found.

“We implore you, do not judge this book by the prosecution’s cover,” Tarbox told the 10-woman, four-man jury during opening statements of the trial that lasted less than two hours Oct. 22. “There is not one shred of evidence except for the testimony of just one person, the one person we know was there. A man whose credibility this jury will have to judge. I believe you will find him wholly incredible.”

Source: View SoutheastSun.com Article

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WTVY.com
Press Release: Montgomery Police Department Updated: Thu 4:08 PM, Oct 22, 2015

Cowarts Woman Killed in Fatal Crash in Montgomery

Montgomery, AL The Montgomery Police Department has made an arrest in the Oct. 21 traffic death of 31-year-old Nicole Baldwin of Cowarts following an early-morning crash on Interstate 85.

MPD accident investigators charged Wesley Welch, 28, of Montgomery with one count of reckless murder. Welch, the driver of the vehicle in which the victim was a passenger, was taken into custody in the 2100 block of East South Boulevard. Following his arrest, Welch was transported to the Montgomery County Detention Facility, where he was being held under a $50,000 bond.

On Wednesday, Oct. 21, at about 4 a.m., Montgomery Police and Fire medics responded to I-85 southbound between Hall and Union streets after receiving a report of a crash. The crash involved a 2016 Toyota Camry and a 2001 Dodge Durango. Baldwin, a passenger in the Camry, was transported to a local hospital and later was pronounced dead. A second passenger, also an adult female, was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. Welch, driver of the Camry, was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

MPD’s initial investigation indicates that the Toyota Camry was traveling south on I-85 approaching Union Street when it left the roadway and struck the Dodge Durango, which was unoccupied and parked off the shoulder of the roadway. Accident investigators are working to determine the cause of the crash, and no further information is available for release at this time.

Source: View WTVY.com Article

Criminal Details

Julie Sikorsky
Press Release: January 23, 2019

Yes that's dad's obituary but I must also point out some corrections about the obituary. Family did not get to have the service. I'm the only family left and I never even knew my dad was still alive let alone get to say goodbye to him so I was never notified. This friend Cynthia Sue couch was really his POA who ended up taking advantage of him. She didn't pay the taxes on the ill-gotten house and I don't know how to regain the home back into the family as I'm on SSI. I'm getting the runaround trying to make a police report but it seems police don't handle civil matters. Cindy changed the life insurance beneficiary from next of kin to herself and she's not even family so I don't know who this person is. Funny dad died exactly 3 weeks to the day this was done but the anchor lodge nursing home refused to talk to me because I'm not his POA. The nursing home never said and should've known POA stops when someone dies. I eventually found this out for myself during my research about elder financial abuse. I'm going to send some screenshots, hopefully you can view them OK. I hope this helps you explain the story as I was through a long legal battle before Cindy vanished to dodge the lawsuit. Hopefully she can be found so a separate complaint against her can't be filed but I don't know how long the SOL is as this case recently got dismissed when the insurance company called uniCARE settled only for us to find out Cindy vanished. This is the only reason why the case had to be dismissed but a separate complaint can be filed against her at a later date if we can find her and get her address actually official on paper. Had she been in jail this never would've happened. Just burns me up that my dad's house was put out of reach but the paranormal activities probably won't even bother me as I've since been saved. The curse though it's still on the property as long as the property is misappropriated and the curse will remain as long as the property is misappropriated. I don't know who can help me get this property back but it starts with finding Cindy. Her last address before she vanished was 772 Ellis Ave. in Ashland Ohio, she wasn't running her own place but living with the owners. She took my dad's furniture and my dad died intestate, meaning no will and by Ohio law, since dad was widowed and never remarried I'm supposed to get everything but Cindy took my dad's belongings, including most likely vintage furniture

Criminal Details

DothanEagle.com
Jim Cook - Apr 23, 2015 Updated Sep 14, 2015

No Castle Law defense in Gordon stabbing

Gordon on Wednesday, according to Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza.

Paul Bernard Peterson, 29, of Gordon has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of Norman Battle, 28, also of Gordon. Peterson’s bond was set at $100,000. Peterson has made bail and secured his release from jail pending his trial.

Valenza said the stabbing occurred as a result of an argument between Peterson and Battle at 63 St. Mary St. in Gordon on Wednesday afternoon. During the argument, Peterson obtained a knife and stabbed Battle multiple times, Valenza said.

Initial calls to police concerning the incident were made around 2:58 p.m.

After the stabbing, Battle fled and was picked up by a passerby, who attempted to take the injured man to a hospital. Battle didn’t make it, and the driver was met by police at an Ashford gas station where Battle was pronounced dead around 4 p.m.

Valenza said Alabama’s Castle Law would not apply to the incident because it occurred outside Peterson’s home. The Castle Law, passed in 2007, allows homeowners to defend themselves from burglary or assault within their homes with deadly force.

Source: View DothanEagle.com Article

Criminal Details

DothanEagle.com
Matt Elofson - Sep 14, 2015

Alabama Castle law may have gotten Gordon man out of murder indictment

Gordon man no longer faces a felony murder charge after a Houston County grand jury recently no-billed the case.

Attorney Cada Carter said his client, 29-year-old Paul Bernard Peterson, was eating watermelon on his front porch when he had to use a knife to defend himself from another man who attacked him as he ate the melon.

“My guy was sitting there eating watermelon,” Carter said. “The guy went up on his porch and attacked my client first.”

Carter said he believed the grand jury returned no murder charge because of the Alabama Castle law, which allows for people to defend themselves on their own property with deadly force.

Deputies with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office arrested Peterson on April 22 and charged him with felony murder. Deputies charged him in the stabbing death of 28-year-old Norman Battle.

Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza told the Dothan Eagle shortly after the arrest how the stabbing occurred as a result of an argument between Peterson and Battle at 63 St. Mary St. in Gordon.

After the stabbing, Battle fled and was picked up by a passerby, who attempted to take the injured man to a hospital. Battle didn’t make it, and the driver was met by police at an Ashford gas station where Battle was later pronounced dead.

The Alabama Castle Law, passed in 2007, allows homeowners to defend themselves from burglary or assault within their homes with deadly force.

Source: View DothanEagle.com Article

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DothanEagle.com
Matt Elofson - Aug 6, 2015 Updated Aug 7, 2015

Shawn Adkison guilty of murder in Geneva County woman's death

A jury found a Slocomb man guilty of murder on Thursday in less than 20 minutes.

Geneva County District Attorney Kirke Adams said the jury returned with the guilty verdict against 41-year-old Shawn Lee Adkison. He faces 10 to 99 years or life in prison when he is sentenced at a later date.

Adkison was one of two people indicted on felony murder charges in connection to the death of 49-year-old Debbie Ayres. The trial against Adkison started earlier this week in Geneva.

A similar felony murder charge remains pending against Christopher Edward Finley, 45, of Dothan. His case was also scheduled for trial this week, but it was delayed.

Authorities originally arrested both Finley and Adkison in October 2014. State police investigators initially only charged Finley with murder and filed a felony hindering prosecution charge against Adkison. Deputies with the Geneva County Sheriff’s Office assisted in making the arrests.

Geneva County Sheriff Tony Helms told the Dothan Eagle earlier that the charges stemmed from a Geneva County missing person investigation. The victim’s body was found in October 2014 on property off U.S. 84 West in the Wicksburg community.

Helms said Ayres was found buried in 3 to 4 feet of dirt in the woods just past County Road 9 in Wicksburg. Helms said Ayres lived in the Black community of Geneva County.

Source: View DothanEagle.com Article

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WTVY.com
Press Release: AL Attorney General Luther Strange

Appeals Court Upholds Geneva County Murder Conviction

Attorney General Luther Strange announced that the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals last Friday upheld the murder conviction of Shawn Adkison. Adkison, 42, of Slocomb, was convicted in Geneva County Circuit Court in August of 2015 for the murder of Debbie Ayers.

Evidence presented at trial showed that Adkison was involved in a dispute with Ayers and that he killed her on August 14, 2014. Ayers died of blunt force trauma to the head.

The case was prosecuted at trial by Geneva County District Attorney Kirke Adams’ office. Adkison was sentenced to a term of 85 years’ imprisonment. Adkison subsequently sought to have his conviction reversed on appeal.

The Attorney General's Criminal Appeals Section handled the case during the appeals process, arguing for the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals to affirm the conviction. The Court did so in a decision issued on Friday, July 1.

Attorney General Strange commended Assistant Attorney General Beth Slate Poe of the Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Section for her successful work in this case.

Source: View WTVY.com Article

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WTVY.com
WTVY News 4 - Published: Jul. 19, 2018 at 4:24 PM CDT

Convicted Geneva Co. murderer denied by Criminal Appeals Court

The Alabama Criminal Court of Appeals has denied the petition of Shawn Lee Adkison. Adkison from Slocomb was convicted of the 2014 murder of Debbie Ayers.

Adkison, 44, of Slocomb, was convicted in Geneva County Circuit Court in 2015, for the murder of Debbie Ayers. Evidence presented at trial showed that Adkison was involved in a dispute with Ayers and that he killed her on August 14, 2014. Ayers died of blunt force trauma to the head.

The Geneva County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. Upon conviction, Adkison was sentenced to 85 years in prison. Adkison’s subsequent attempts to have his conviction and sentence reversed on appeal have been rejected by the courts.

Source: View WTVY.com Article

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DOTHANEAGLE.com
Matt Elofson - Jun 5, 2014

James Tice killed in Geneva Co. shooting

James Matthew Tice, 26, of Dothan, died from multiple gunshot wounds late Wednesday night, according to Geneva County officials.

Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Tony Helms said deputies are looking for a “person of interest” in connection to a homicide in Malvern on Wednesday night. He said deputies responded to an emergency call of shots fired around 10 p.m.

Geneva County Coroner Robert "Hagler" Ward II said he responded and pronounced 26-year-old James Matthew Tice dead at 11:42 p.m.

Ward said he found Tice in the front yard of a trailer located on Cohen Road.

Ward said Cohen Road is a dirt road located off another dirt road called Cook Road, which is off Jay Saunders Road.

Ward said Tice suffered multiple gunshot wounds, which resulted in the homicide that’s being investigated by the Geneva County Sheriff’s Office and agents with the Alabama Bureau of Investigation.

Ward said Tice was sent to the state Department of Forensic Sciences in Montgomery Thursday for an autopsy to determine to an official cause of death.

Helms said details of what happened were not available because of the ongoing investigation.

“We’ve got someone who fled the scene,” Helms said.

Helms said deputies are looking for a “person of interest” for their possible involvement in the homicide. Helms said its Geneva County’s first homicide of 2014.

Anyone with information about the homicide can call the Geneva County Sheriff’s Office at 334-684-5660.

Source: View DOTHANEAGLE.com Article

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WOPP Facebook
Staff Post - June 14, 2014

Authorities have charged a convicted sex offender with murder in the shooting death of a Dothan man last week in the Malvern community.

Geneva County Sheriff Greg Ward said investigators have arrested 29-year-old William Robert Williamson Jr. Friday afternoon and charged him with murder. Ward said investigators have charged Williamson with the shooting death of 26-year-old James Tice the night of June 4.

“We got a tip that he was at a trailer on Geneva County Road 4 south of Fadette, at a small trailer park,” Ward said. “Marshals went in and got him and ABI has been interviewing him. He is being charged with murder for the Malvern shooting.”

Ward said more charges are pending in the ongoing investigation into the first homicide in Geneva County in 2014. Ward said more people could also be charged in the ongoing investigation.

Tice, of Dothan, suffered multiple fatal gunshot wounds to his body and was found by authorities in the front yard of a trailer on Cohen Road, a dirt road off another dirt road off Jay Saunders Road in the Malvern community.

The homicide remains ongoing by investigators with the Geneva County Sheriff’s Office and agents with the Alabama Bureau of Investigation.

Rick Clemmons, an agent with the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, said agents arrested Williamson around 11:15 Friday morning.

Clemmons said officers from several different law enforcement agencies assisted in Williamson’s capture, including agents with the ABI, deputies with the Geneva County Sheriff’s Office, deputies with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, and an agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Clemmons said Williamson had been wanted by authorities on three pending felony warrants for his arrest, two out of Houston County and a third out of Geneva County. Clemmons said Williamson was wanted for a pending felony unlawful possession of a controlled substance charge out of Geneva County, and two sex offender notification act violations out of Houston County.

Court records show Williamson has a pending felony drug distribution charge out of Houston County.

Agents with the agriculture division of the Alabama Bureau of Investigation arrested Williamson in January in connection to an animal cruelty investigation involving dead cattle.

Records show Williamson pleaded guilty last month to 34 misdemeanor crimes in connection to the investigation. Investigators charged him with 17 counts of animal cruelty and 17 counts of failure to properly bury and burn animals.

Court records show Williamson to be a convicted sex offender.

According to the Alabama sex offender registry website, Williamson was convicted of the second-degree rape of a 15-year-old girl in Houston County in 2006.

According to the sex offender website, Williamson listed his home in the 1100 block of Forrester Road in Houston County.

Source: View WOPP Facebook Article

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DOTHANEAGLE.com
Matt Elofson - Sep 9, 2015

William Williamson Jr. gets life sentence for killing James Tice in Malvern

A Geneva County judge sentenced a Dothan man on Wednesday to life in prison without parole for the shooting death of a 26-year-old man in the Malvern community.

District Attorney Kirke Adams said Circuit Court Judge William Filmore sentenced 30-year-old William Robert Williamson Jr. to spend the rest of his life in prison without the opportunity for parole.

A jury found Williamson guilty last month of murder in the shooting death of James Tice on June 4, 2014.

Adams said based on Williamson’s criminal history he faced an enhanced sentencing range of either life in prison or life without parole in prison.

“The life without the possibility of parole sentence assures the family that they don’t have to travel to parole board hearings to fight to keep this guy in prison,” Adams said via email message. “It also makes our community a much safer place.”

According to the court’s order, the court considered how Williamson had nine prior felony convictions, ranging from drug possession to drug distribution to second-degree rape.

Filmore said he also considered the evidence presented at trial which included how Williamson fatally shot an unarmed man five times, probably while he was on the ground. He said the evidence showed Williamson had “no regard for human life.”

Filmore also found no mitigating circumstances or redeeming qualities in the defendant and as a result found Williamson has forfeited his right to live in a free society.

The homicide was investigated by deputies with the Geneva County Sheriff’s Office, along with investigators with the Alabama Bureau of Investigation.

Williamson also has two pending felony unlawful possession of controlled substance charges in Geneva County.

Court records show the following information about Williamson’s criminal history:

According to the Alabama sex offender registry website, Williamson was convicted of a second-degree rape of a 15-year-old girl in Houston County in 2006.

Williamson pleaded guilty earlier this year to a felony drug distribution charge in Houston County. He also pleaded guilty last year to 34 misdemeanor charges, 17 counts of animal cruelty and failure to bury livestock charges in connection to a dead cattle investigation.

Source: View DOTHANEAGLE.com Article

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AL.COM
Erin Edgemon - May 7, 2014 at 12:53 PM,

Man dies after being shot in head Tuesday night, Dothan police say

DOTHAN, Alabama -- A 30-year-old man was fatally shot in the head Tuesday night on Eugene Street in Dothan.

Police are now searching for the suspected shooter, Emanuel Tarrail Bryant, who is being charged with murder.

Dothan police responded to the 100 block of Eugene Street and found the victim, Daniel Lanier Dawsey, lying on the ground and unresponsive at around 8:33 p.m., Dothan Police Sgt. Maurice Eggleston said.

Dawsey was transported to Southeast Alabama Medical Center where he died at around 9:30 p.m.

Investigators say the shooting stemmed from a physical altercation between the two men.

Bryant, who is considered armed and dangerous, is described as being a black man, 6 foot 1 inches tall and weighing approximately 160 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call Dothan police at 334-615-3000. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers 334-793-7000 or by texting the word ‘DACS’ and the tip to CRIME (274637).

Updated with additional information from Dothan police at 12:53 p.m.

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WSFA.COM
Kim Allen - Aug 06, 2015

Emanuel Bryant Guilty Of Manslaughter In Dawsey Shooting Death

A Houston County jury deliberated more than four hours before finding Emanuel Bryant guilty on manslaughter charges in the shooting death of Daniel Dawsey in May of 2014. Bryant faced a murder charge, but the jury found him guilty on the lesser included charge of manslaughter.

The defense called into question the credibility of prosecution witnesses during the trial. A sentencing date is set for August 26th, where Bryant could be sentenced to life in prison.

Read article on WSFA.COM

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DOTHANEAGLE.COM
Matt Elofson - Aug 26, 2015

Victim’s family finds justice in 35-year sentence issued in fatal shooting

Kim Fields said the 35-year prison sentence issued to her brother’s killer on Wednesday gave the family some justice.

Fields spoke shortly after the sentencing for Emanuel Bryant, who received the 35-year sentence from Circuit Court Judge Butch Binford. A Houston County jury found Bryant guilty earlier this month of felony manslaughter in the shooting of 31-year-old Daniel Dawsey, Fields’ brother.

“It will help me to keep from reliving his death, and now focus on his life,” Fields said. “It will bring us some closure.”

Dothan police investigators arrested Bryant on May 8, 2014, and charged him with murder in the shooting death of Dawsey. Dawsey suffered a fatal gunshot wound in the 1000 block of Eugene Street around 8:30 p.m. The shooting happened during an altercation in the street. The jury found the 31-year-old Bryant guilty of the lesser included felony manslaughter charge at trial.

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SoutheastSun.com
Michelle Mann Dec 3, 2014 Updated Jan 6, 2015

New Brockton man arrested for assault now charged with murder

The robbery and assault charges initially filed against a New Brockton man have been upgraded to murder.

Jasen Scott Caradine, 32, is charged with murder in connection with the April 29 death of a 69-year-old man on Coffee County Road 521.

Caradine initially faced felony first-degree assault and felony first-degree robbery charges in connection with an April 19 attack on Patrick Baker in Baker’s home.

Baker, who had received multiple injuries during the attack, was transported to Southeast Alabama Medical Center for treatment and then transferred to a Birmingham hospital. He died April 29.

According to news reports at the time of the assault and robbery, Caradine allegedly used an aluminum bat during an armed robbery of the man in his home, during which cash was taken from the victim.

Caradine was booked into the Coffee County Jail and held on a total of $45,000 in bail on the two charges. He had been out on bond.

He was re-arrested Tuesday following a Coffee County Grand Jury indictment changing the first-degree assault charge to murder.

Source: View SoutheastSun.com Article

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SoutheastSun.com
Michelle Mann May 18, 2016 Updated May 19, 2016

Man convicted of assault in connection with New Brockton man’s death

A New Brockton man charged with murder and first-degree robbery was found guilty of neither after a five-day trial in Elba that ended Friday, May 13.

Jasen Scott Caradine, 33, was found not guilty of the murder of 69-year-old Pat Baker of New Brockton and not guilty of first-degree robbery in connection with the case.

The six-man, six-woman jury deliberated nearly eight hours over two days before finding Caradine guilty only of the lesser-included charge of first-degree assault.

Caradine remains free on bond waiting sentencing July 21 in Circuit Judge Jeff Kelley’s courtroom.

Caradine had been arrested within 15 minutes after the New Brockton police received an E-911 call April 19, 2014 from one of Baker’s neighbors who reported that he had found Baker, apparently beaten and robbed of approximately $1,000, inside Baker’s home on County Road 521 in New Brockton.

Caradine was charged with assaulting Baker with a metal baseball bat during the robbery, leaving Baker with wounds to the back of his head, multiple facial fractures, a lacerated liver and broken arm bones. Baker died in a Dothan hospital 10 days after the assault. Testimony during the trial was that Baker’s death was caused by a heart attack.

Calling it “the strangest murder case I have ever seen,” Caradine’s attorney, Matt Lamere, said that when his client was arrested at a New Brockton service station some 15 minutes after authorities had issued a “be on the lookout” alert for a black pickup truck, there was no blood found on Caradine and there was no blood found in his truck.

Authorities did not order forensic testing on Caradine’s clothing, nor did they conduct DNA testing on Caradine, according to court testimony.

Four hundred and fifty dollars in cash was found in Caradine’s pickup truck, Lamere said, before questioning how some $600 more money allegedly taken from Baker could have disappeared in 15 minutes. “The money might be the most important piece of evidence,” Lamere said. “Why didn’t (law authorities) see if Pat Baker’s DNA was on the money—they had it in their hands and they didn’t do it.”

Caradine’s clothing was not tested for traces of Baker’s blood, tire tracks found outside Baker’s home were not measured for possible vehicle identification and a cigarette butt found outside Baker’s home was not tested for DNA traces, Lamere reminded the jury in closing arguments. “There is a horrendous lack of evidence here.”

Lamere also reminded the jury in closing arguments that the neighbor who called E-911 after finding Baker was in fact a person with a felony burglary conviction.

Lamere said the convicted felon was the person, along with Baker’s daughter, who was allowed entry into Baker’s home to clean it up the day following the incident.

“Was (the convicted felon) the chief investigator in this case? It appears so,” Lamere said. “There would have been justice for Pat Baker if everyone involved had done their job.”

Source: View SoutheastSun.com Article

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WTVY.com
mike Gurspan - Published: Jul. 21, 2016 at 5:21 PM CDT

Caradine Assault Sentencing

Today..., the man responsible for the death of an elderly Coffee County man was sentenced.

Initially charged with murder and robbery..., a jury last may convicted Jason Caradine of a lesser charge of first-degree assault. Two years ago..., Caradine walked into 69-year-old Pat Baker's New Brockton home and slammed the victim's head with an aluminum baseball bat... Baker died 10 days later... Today..., Caradine was sentenced to 15-years-and-eight months in a state penitentiary…

Source: View WTVY.com Article

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WSFA.COM
WSFA 12 News Staff | January 13, 2014 at 9:47 PM CST - Updated July 9 at 7:40 PM

Suspect arrested in Samson stabbing homicide

SAMSON, AL (WSFA) - A murder indictment is being handed down by the Geneva County Grand Jury against a woman accused of stabbing a man to death on December 28, 2013.

Felicia Ann Lane, 40, now faces a murder charge while being held in the county jail.

The District Attorney's office and the Alabama Bureau of Investigations showed evidence during a grand jury hearing on Jan. 9, 2014 that Lane stabbed 29-year-old Edward Andrews in the chest with a small kitchen knife.

Andrews was pronounced dead in the home on South Bay Street in Samson that he shared with the suspect. The stabbing happened during an altercation, according to police.

No further details regarding the case have been released.

"Copyright 2014 WSFA 12 News. All rights reserved.

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DOTHANEAGLE.COM
Kim Allen - Aug 06, 2015

Samson woman pleads guilty to fatal stabbing

A Samson woman faces two to 20 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing a man.

Geneva County District Attorney Kirke Adams said 41-year-old Felicia A. Lane pleaded guilty Monday to a reduced felony manslaughter charge in front of Circuit Court Judge Kenneth Quattlebaum.

Agents with the Alabama Bureau of Investigation arrested Lane in January, charging her with felony murder. Agents charged Lane with using a knife to stab 29-year-old Edward Owen Andrews to death on Saturday Dec. 28, 2013.

The stabbing death was investigated jointly by the Samson Police Department and the ABI.

Samson police Investigator Jimmy Hill told the Dothan Eagle the stabbing death happened at 613 S. Bay St. in Samson, which is also Lane’s residence of record. Hill said the stabbing death involved some type of domestic incident.

Quattlebaum hold a sentencing and probation hearing for Lane on Dec. 4. Lane faces two to 20 years in prison for the class B felony crime of manslaughter.

Read article on DOTHANEAGLE.COM