By Steven Jones
Times-Journal City Editor
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Charles Bonner walked up to the Selma City Council in his black cowboy boots and dark blue double-breasted pinstripe suit and explained his vision for the future of the St. James.
"The vision that I have is creating a hotel called the St. James Global Peace Center," the San Francisco Civil Rights attorney said, "(a) mediation center to solve global conflicts."
Bonner also said he would turn the St. James into a five-star facility, help revitalize the downtown area and turn Water Avenue into an artists colony.
Bonner met with the City Council and current St. James leaseholder Larry Striplin Sunday to discuss the fate of the historic structure.
He admitted that he had big plans, but was more than willing to back them up with his vision for the hotel.
"That's a bold idea. I have accomplished bold things in my life so I can dream boldly," the son of an Orrville farmer told the Council.
While the Council supports Bonner' takeover of the hotel, there are some obstacles. City Attorney Jimmy Nunn is researching several issues, hoping to smooth the process.
The Council discussed some of those questions at last night's meeting, including why Bonner must go through the Council to take over the hotel.
According to Nunn, the city owns the building, which it leases to Larry Striplin for $100 per month.
Striplin asked the Council to release the loan to Bonner, and endorsed him thoroughly.
"I don't think you could find a better man," he said.
Striplin said that not taking Bonner's proposal wouldn't be in the city's best interest.
"We sometimes tend to put our foot down and start shooting holes into it," he said.
Bonner also outlined 19 improvements to the building that must be dealt with soon, including rotted support beams, oxidized paint and new light fixtures in all the hotel bathrooms.
Bonner said these defects would cost about $500,000 to fix.
Bonner asked for help in funding the improvements, and suggested that the city could raise lodging taxes or float a bond issue to pay for them, or part of them.
Some members of the Council believe Striplin is responsible for the repairs.
"It seems we are letting him (Striplin) off the hook," Councilwoman Bennie Ruth Crenshaw said at the end.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Friday, February 03, 2006
Robbery suspect leads police on chase
By Steven Jones
Times-Journal City Editor
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Mike Owens' daughters, teenage students at Morgan Academy, have exams today.
But after a robbery suspect crashed his van into Owens' front yard and hid in nearby woods, he doubts they'll be able to concentrate on their tests.
"This is an exam night," he said, looking into the thick woods, his rifle within easy reach on the toolbox of his truck. "I don't think they're going to study."
Owens got a call from his wife at about 6:30 yesterday evening.
"All I heard her holler was 'Somebody's loose,'" the catfish farm manager said.
Being just "one pond over," Owens said he was in his front yard about 30 seconds later, and found out that the yard, and about 10 acres of heavy brush beside it, was the scene of a manhunt.
"Thank God he (the suspect) didn't run into my house," Owens said.
His wife and daughters were home when the red van crashed into the ditch in Owens' front yard, and skidded to a stop about 20 miles outside of Demopolis and about 15 miles away from Selma on Highway 80W.
Within minutes, Owens said, police swarmed the farm, owned by Harvest Fresh Catfish, and commandeered his property to serve as a makeshift command center and landing pad for the search helicopters.
Officers from at least four different law enforcement agencies converged on the wooded location and quickly set up a perimeter.
State Trooper Lt. G. Kuntz said the suspect was in the woods and the officers would try to "coax" him out as the night progressed. As of presstime, the suspect was still at large.
Owens was told that the man in question, described to him only as a black male, was suspected of robbing an ABC store in Demopolis at gunpoint and then leading police on a high-speed chase down Highway 80 in a red van with Pasagoula, Miss. plates.
"(He) wrecked in front of my yard," he said.
Owens said his wife and a daughter ran out to the scene of the crash to see if anyone was hurt, when the man left the van and ran into the nearby woods.
Owens immediately got his family indoors, grabbed his .17 caliber rifle and set up a remote controlled spotlight to help officers monitor the area.
Officers, including a tactical unit, set up a perimeter, and called in helicopters with heat imaging and night vision cameras to aid in the search.
State Trooper Lt. G. Kuntz said the search would probably be successful.
"Hopefully we'll be able to locate (him)," Kuntz said. "The odds are definitely on our side."
Times-Journal City Editor
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Mike Owens' daughters, teenage students at Morgan Academy, have exams today.
But after a robbery suspect crashed his van into Owens' front yard and hid in nearby woods, he doubts they'll be able to concentrate on their tests.
"This is an exam night," he said, looking into the thick woods, his rifle within easy reach on the toolbox of his truck. "I don't think they're going to study."
Owens got a call from his wife at about 6:30 yesterday evening.
"All I heard her holler was 'Somebody's loose,'" the catfish farm manager said.
Being just "one pond over," Owens said he was in his front yard about 30 seconds later, and found out that the yard, and about 10 acres of heavy brush beside it, was the scene of a manhunt.
"Thank God he (the suspect) didn't run into my house," Owens said.
His wife and daughters were home when the red van crashed into the ditch in Owens' front yard, and skidded to a stop about 20 miles outside of Demopolis and about 15 miles away from Selma on Highway 80W.
Within minutes, Owens said, police swarmed the farm, owned by Harvest Fresh Catfish, and commandeered his property to serve as a makeshift command center and landing pad for the search helicopters.
Officers from at least four different law enforcement agencies converged on the wooded location and quickly set up a perimeter.
State Trooper Lt. G. Kuntz said the suspect was in the woods and the officers would try to "coax" him out as the night progressed. As of presstime, the suspect was still at large.
Owens was told that the man in question, described to him only as a black male, was suspected of robbing an ABC store in Demopolis at gunpoint and then leading police on a high-speed chase down Highway 80 in a red van with Pasagoula, Miss. plates.
"(He) wrecked in front of my yard," he said.
Owens said his wife and a daughter ran out to the scene of the crash to see if anyone was hurt, when the man left the van and ran into the nearby woods.
Owens immediately got his family indoors, grabbed his .17 caliber rifle and set up a remote controlled spotlight to help officers monitor the area.
Officers, including a tactical unit, set up a perimeter, and called in helicopters with heat imaging and night vision cameras to aid in the search.
State Trooper Lt. G. Kuntz said the search would probably be successful.
"Hopefully we'll be able to locate (him)," Kuntz said. "The odds are definitely on our side."
Alleged abuser gets $150,000 bond
By Steven Jones
Saturday, September 10, 2005
The Selma Times-Journal
After spending about half-an-hour listening to testimony in Alfred Bell's bond hearing, his 17-year-old alleged victim - who spent most of the hearing looking down at her hands with slumped shoulders - stood up.
"If he gets out of jail he's going to do something very, very bad," she said, her voice cracking slightly.
Bell was charged with assaulting the young lady, burning her severely with a clothing iron on her back, thigh and left breast.
The recommended bond in a domestic violence/assault II case is $2,000 to $20,000. Judge Bob Armstrong, Dallas County District Court Judge, set Bell's bond at $150,000.
Bell, a 21-year-old Orrville man, was arrested Thursday evening, by Dallas County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with assaulting his 17-year-old then girlfriend.
The assault was part of a larger pattern, prosecutors said, pointing to the three other appearances Bell made in Armstrong's court, charged with assaulting the same girl.
"We have a pattern of severe domestic violence that has excalated to physical disfigurement," Shannon Lynch, case prosecutor said. Lynch said that it was possible that the suspect could cause further harm to the victim.
Bell's court-appointed attorney, Vaughan Russell, said that the bond wasn't justified.
In fact Russell said, Bell isn't a danger to the community.
"He's never committed an act of violence outside his own home," Russell said. "She (his girlfriend) goes back to his home. She chooses to go back."
Russell said Bell's record did not indicate any kind of "stalking" behavior.
According to information from the SABRA Sanctuary, a domestic violence shelter in Selma, abused women are likely to return to their abuser about seven times before they leave for good.
Armstrong disagreed with Russell, finding for the prosecution.
"I'm not quite as concerned about the community as I am (the victim)," Armstrong said, calling the attack "borderline torture."
Speaking to Bell, Armstrong said that the defendant has been given several chances to change.
"You've been given several opportunities to get your act straight," he said. "You don't need to be out on the street."
Prosecutors said that they were pleased with the bond and that the high bond was needed to protect the victim.
Lynch said cases like this are important to bring the problem of domestic violence to the forefront.
"Sometimes the person you love can be the scariest person in the world," Lynch said. "Any community needs to know about the cycle of violence."
District attorney Michael Jackson said the case was appalling and he pledged that his office would seek the highest sentence possible in this case.
"No person should be subjected to this type of abuse," he said. "I hope (Bell) packed a lot of clothes, because he is going to be in jail a long time."
A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 22 in the case. Prosecutors plan to seek a revocation of Bell's probation for a previous domestic violence charge then.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
The Selma Times-Journal
After spending about half-an-hour listening to testimony in Alfred Bell's bond hearing, his 17-year-old alleged victim - who spent most of the hearing looking down at her hands with slumped shoulders - stood up.
"If he gets out of jail he's going to do something very, very bad," she said, her voice cracking slightly.
Bell was charged with assaulting the young lady, burning her severely with a clothing iron on her back, thigh and left breast.
The recommended bond in a domestic violence/assault II case is $2,000 to $20,000. Judge Bob Armstrong, Dallas County District Court Judge, set Bell's bond at $150,000.
Bell, a 21-year-old Orrville man, was arrested Thursday evening, by Dallas County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with assaulting his 17-year-old then girlfriend.
The assault was part of a larger pattern, prosecutors said, pointing to the three other appearances Bell made in Armstrong's court, charged with assaulting the same girl.
"We have a pattern of severe domestic violence that has excalated to physical disfigurement," Shannon Lynch, case prosecutor said. Lynch said that it was possible that the suspect could cause further harm to the victim.
Bell's court-appointed attorney, Vaughan Russell, said that the bond wasn't justified.
In fact Russell said, Bell isn't a danger to the community.
"He's never committed an act of violence outside his own home," Russell said. "She (his girlfriend) goes back to his home. She chooses to go back."
Russell said Bell's record did not indicate any kind of "stalking" behavior.
According to information from the SABRA Sanctuary, a domestic violence shelter in Selma, abused women are likely to return to their abuser about seven times before they leave for good.
Armstrong disagreed with Russell, finding for the prosecution.
"I'm not quite as concerned about the community as I am (the victim)," Armstrong said, calling the attack "borderline torture."
Speaking to Bell, Armstrong said that the defendant has been given several chances to change.
"You've been given several opportunities to get your act straight," he said. "You don't need to be out on the street."
Prosecutors said that they were pleased with the bond and that the high bond was needed to protect the victim.
Lynch said cases like this are important to bring the problem of domestic violence to the forefront.
"Sometimes the person you love can be the scariest person in the world," Lynch said. "Any community needs to know about the cycle of violence."
District attorney Michael Jackson said the case was appalling and he pledged that his office would seek the highest sentence possible in this case.
"No person should be subjected to this type of abuse," he said. "I hope (Bell) packed a lot of clothes, because he is going to be in jail a long time."
A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 22 in the case. Prosecutors plan to seek a revocation of Bell's probation for a previous domestic violence charge then.
Man shot
By Steven Jones
Saturday, November 5, 2005
The Selma Times-Journal
Kory Irvin, 21, was shot in the "left butt cheek" by an unidentified woman on Wednesday, according to police reports.
Irvin, of 115 Hope St., was shot in the home he shared with his mother when two friends brought a woman to his home.
"I didn't know her at all," Irvin said. "My friends know her. They picked her up. That was my first time ever seeing her."
Irvin said they were all at his house "just chillin'."
Irvin said the woman told him and his friends she was hungry.
He said his friends told her they'd take her to get some food.
"She said, 'Ya'll think I'm playin'," Irvin said. "She pulled out a gun. Didn't nobody provoke her or anything. It was just so crazy."
Irvin said she shot the gun into the air - described as a silver .38 caliber pistol in police reports - first before coming after him and his friends. The bullet damaged the ceiling of the home.
"She came around the corner from the living room (into) the kitchen and she pointed the gun at us," he said.
She fired again, injuring Irvin.
"Then I guess the gun jammed," he said. "I didn't know I was shot."
He said she walked out the front door and he and his friends waited to make sure she was gone. One of Irvin's friends looked down and saw him bleeding.
"I put my hand back there and felt the hole," he said. "Then we went to the hospital."
Irvin was treated for a gunshot wound to his left buttock. He was released shortly after.
"I still got the bullet in me," he said.
Irvin said doctors told him the bullet may have to stay.
"If the bullet moves back toward my skin they'll remove it," he said. "I guess I'll have to keep a bullet in there.
Irvin told police he didn't want to press charges, but he said his mother was going to press charges for firing a weapon in her home.
"I wanted to press charges but," he said he was worried about how court appearances may effect his job at Meadowcraft.
"There's a possibility I will lose my job," he said. Irvin said he just started at the company and was in his probationary period.
"I'm just going to take it like a man," he said.
Saturday, November 5, 2005
The Selma Times-Journal
Kory Irvin, 21, was shot in the "left butt cheek" by an unidentified woman on Wednesday, according to police reports.
Irvin, of 115 Hope St., was shot in the home he shared with his mother when two friends brought a woman to his home.
"I didn't know her at all," Irvin said. "My friends know her. They picked her up. That was my first time ever seeing her."
Irvin said they were all at his house "just chillin'."
Irvin said the woman told him and his friends she was hungry.
He said his friends told her they'd take her to get some food.
"She said, 'Ya'll think I'm playin'," Irvin said. "She pulled out a gun. Didn't nobody provoke her or anything. It was just so crazy."
Irvin said she shot the gun into the air - described as a silver .38 caliber pistol in police reports - first before coming after him and his friends. The bullet damaged the ceiling of the home.
"She came around the corner from the living room (into) the kitchen and she pointed the gun at us," he said.
She fired again, injuring Irvin.
"Then I guess the gun jammed," he said. "I didn't know I was shot."
He said she walked out the front door and he and his friends waited to make sure she was gone. One of Irvin's friends looked down and saw him bleeding.
"I put my hand back there and felt the hole," he said. "Then we went to the hospital."
Irvin was treated for a gunshot wound to his left buttock. He was released shortly after.
"I still got the bullet in me," he said.
Irvin said doctors told him the bullet may have to stay.
"If the bullet moves back toward my skin they'll remove it," he said. "I guess I'll have to keep a bullet in there.
Irvin told police he didn't want to press charges, but he said his mother was going to press charges for firing a weapon in her home.
"I wanted to press charges but," he said he was worried about how court appearances may effect his job at Meadowcraft.
"There's a possibility I will lose my job," he said. Irvin said he just started at the company and was in his probationary period.
"I'm just going to take it like a man," he said.
Water board increases rates
By Steven Jones
Sept. 27, 2005
The Selma Times-Journal
A water board public meeting Monday got so heated a police officer and a deputy found it necessary to step between a customer and Evelyn Huff, the Dallas County Water Authority chairman.
The meeting, held at Tipton Middle School to discuss a 66 percent increase in rates, was attended by more than 300 customers.
The meeting was so crowded that it had to be postponed while the board moved it from the school cafeteria to the gym, where the benches were filled and customers stood in the doorway to hear the speaker used as a sound system.
Although the meeting was held to give customers a chance to ask questions about the increase, most of the attendees gave statements about what they thought of the increase.
"This is really taxation without representation," said Bill Minor, County School Board member and principal of Phoenix School. "I'm calling for a boycott. They can't cut all our water off."
Napoleon Brazier, a retired citizen of Selmont, said his bill tripled, going from $21 to $66 in a month.
"People living on a fixed income can't afford that," he said.
Debra Hornbuckle, of 209 Buckner, said she had a rental apartment that was empty. After the rate increase, she said the water bill to the property went to more than $40.
"It's not pouring out," she said.
Billy Hooker accused the board of using Selmont residents to pay for the new water system in Craig Industrial Park.
"I guarantee that's what it is," he said. "Let them (industrial park tenants) pay."
Board members defended the action.
They said the increase was necessary for the authority to pay for renovations to the water system, which hasn't had major repairs in more than 30 years.
Paul Jackson of the engineering firm Goodwyn, Mills and Kawood said the repairs to the system would cost at least $4 million.
He said his firm was responsible for cost estimates on the job and engineering.
Board members said the rate increase would pay for the new system and allow the authority to meet water quality standards in the future.
The board hired a consulting firm to help set the new rates.
"We had to start somewhere," William Hasberry, authority vice chairman, said. "Give us some time to look at what we're doing."
Sandra Dildy, a former water authority member and current customer, suggested that those customers able to should switch to a well and a septic tank.
"My well is still in my laundry room," she said. "My septic tank is in my backyard."
April Albright, authority attorney, said the board was working hard for its customers.
"They are trying to do what they feel best," she said.
Minor demanded the authority reduce the rate increase.
"Reconvene. Reduce this ridiculous water rate," he said.
Chairperson Evelyn Huff made a statement on behalf of the board after about an hour of criticism from customers.
"I would hope all of us would want what's best for the community," she said.
Huff said she didn't believe customers were being fair with the board.
"Over the last (few) years, when your bill was late did you all pay late fees?" she asked.
Almost 300 people said "yes!" simultaneously.
Huff, like Albright, defended the actions of the board, and said the authority was willing to be flexible.
"I'm ready to go back to the drawing board," she said.
During her statement many members of the audience walked out, shaking their heads.
After Huff's statement, Dildy confronted her. Dildy said the board should take a pay cut, citing her $50 per month salary when she was a member. Board members currently make $200 per month. The board chairman makes $250.
Dildy and Huff exchanged words. The audience drowned out most of the shouting match, and law enforcement on the scene moved between them.
After the exchange, Commissioner Connell Towns, who said at Monday's commission meeting that he supported the increase, told the audience that he was ready to lower the rate.
"I'm going to meet with the water board," he said. "We're going to come up with a solution to lower your water rate."
Still, several audience members wanted to know what would happen to their current bills.
"Give everybody back their bills they're used to until you can come up with an increase we're used to," Teresa Williams demanded.
The authority will meet today at 5 p.m. at the Water Authority on Old Montgomery Highway.
Huff said the authority could not make any decisions until today's meeting, but rate changes would be a consideration.
"We are definitely going to have a discussion on the rate increase," she said.
Still, she defended the increase, saying the authority gave a lot of notice about the change long before last night's meeting. She also said it was in line with the rest of the state.
"We're probably one of the lowest," she said.
While the rate increase was only for about 66 percent, Huff said there could be a lot of reasons for bills that doubled and tripled.
"It possibly could be a combination of things," she said. "It could be a meter misread; it could be a leak. It could be keyed in wrong. It might be 12 people living in the house."
As far as her confrontation with Dildy, Huff said Dildy and other past water board members were part of the problem.
"Ms. Dildy was a previous board member," she said. "There were no repairs done."
Huff said that same board was also responsible for a contract that cost the board about $50,000 a month to manage the system.
"We were locked into that contract," she said. "This board bought out that contract for almost $1 million."
Sept. 27, 2005
The Selma Times-Journal
A water board public meeting Monday got so heated a police officer and a deputy found it necessary to step between a customer and Evelyn Huff, the Dallas County Water Authority chairman.
The meeting, held at Tipton Middle School to discuss a 66 percent increase in rates, was attended by more than 300 customers.
The meeting was so crowded that it had to be postponed while the board moved it from the school cafeteria to the gym, where the benches were filled and customers stood in the doorway to hear the speaker used as a sound system.
Although the meeting was held to give customers a chance to ask questions about the increase, most of the attendees gave statements about what they thought of the increase.
"This is really taxation without representation," said Bill Minor, County School Board member and principal of Phoenix School. "I'm calling for a boycott. They can't cut all our water off."
Napoleon Brazier, a retired citizen of Selmont, said his bill tripled, going from $21 to $66 in a month.
"People living on a fixed income can't afford that," he said.
Debra Hornbuckle, of 209 Buckner, said she had a rental apartment that was empty. After the rate increase, she said the water bill to the property went to more than $40.
"It's not pouring out," she said.
Billy Hooker accused the board of using Selmont residents to pay for the new water system in Craig Industrial Park.
"I guarantee that's what it is," he said. "Let them (industrial park tenants) pay."
Board members defended the action.
They said the increase was necessary for the authority to pay for renovations to the water system, which hasn't had major repairs in more than 30 years.
Paul Jackson of the engineering firm Goodwyn, Mills and Kawood said the repairs to the system would cost at least $4 million.
He said his firm was responsible for cost estimates on the job and engineering.
Board members said the rate increase would pay for the new system and allow the authority to meet water quality standards in the future.
The board hired a consulting firm to help set the new rates.
"We had to start somewhere," William Hasberry, authority vice chairman, said. "Give us some time to look at what we're doing."
Sandra Dildy, a former water authority member and current customer, suggested that those customers able to should switch to a well and a septic tank.
"My well is still in my laundry room," she said. "My septic tank is in my backyard."
April Albright, authority attorney, said the board was working hard for its customers.
"They are trying to do what they feel best," she said.
Minor demanded the authority reduce the rate increase.
"Reconvene. Reduce this ridiculous water rate," he said.
Chairperson Evelyn Huff made a statement on behalf of the board after about an hour of criticism from customers.
"I would hope all of us would want what's best for the community," she said.
Huff said she didn't believe customers were being fair with the board.
"Over the last (few) years, when your bill was late did you all pay late fees?" she asked.
Almost 300 people said "yes!" simultaneously.
Huff, like Albright, defended the actions of the board, and said the authority was willing to be flexible.
"I'm ready to go back to the drawing board," she said.
During her statement many members of the audience walked out, shaking their heads.
After Huff's statement, Dildy confronted her. Dildy said the board should take a pay cut, citing her $50 per month salary when she was a member. Board members currently make $200 per month. The board chairman makes $250.
Dildy and Huff exchanged words. The audience drowned out most of the shouting match, and law enforcement on the scene moved between them.
After the exchange, Commissioner Connell Towns, who said at Monday's commission meeting that he supported the increase, told the audience that he was ready to lower the rate.
"I'm going to meet with the water board," he said. "We're going to come up with a solution to lower your water rate."
Still, several audience members wanted to know what would happen to their current bills.
"Give everybody back their bills they're used to until you can come up with an increase we're used to," Teresa Williams demanded.
The authority will meet today at 5 p.m. at the Water Authority on Old Montgomery Highway.
Huff said the authority could not make any decisions until today's meeting, but rate changes would be a consideration.
"We are definitely going to have a discussion on the rate increase," she said.
Still, she defended the increase, saying the authority gave a lot of notice about the change long before last night's meeting. She also said it was in line with the rest of the state.
"We're probably one of the lowest," she said.
While the rate increase was only for about 66 percent, Huff said there could be a lot of reasons for bills that doubled and tripled.
"It possibly could be a combination of things," she said. "It could be a meter misread; it could be a leak. It could be keyed in wrong. It might be 12 people living in the house."
As far as her confrontation with Dildy, Huff said Dildy and other past water board members were part of the problem.
"Ms. Dildy was a previous board member," she said. "There were no repairs done."
Huff said that same board was also responsible for a contract that cost the board about $50,000 a month to manage the system.
"We were locked into that contract," she said. "This board bought out that contract for almost $1 million."
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Rape cases increase in Dallas County
By Steven Jones
Saturday, December 3, 2005 10:35 PM CST
The Times-Journal
Last Sunday, a 20-year-old Selma woman was kidnapped, held against her will for several hours and raped.
Since then, Selma police have been working hard on capturing her attacker and investigating the case.
Unfortunately, rape is a crime that is growing in frequency all over the state and Dallas County. Statistics compiled by the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center show that both statutory and forcible rapes have increased in Alabama. The cases increased over a five-year period by 9 percent with rapes reportedly increasing from 1,438 cases to 1,561cases from 1999 to 2003.
Between the years of 2001 and 2002, the state showed a 17 percent increase in the number of rapes.
Dallas County's figures show an even bigger increase.
In 1999, 25 rapes were reported in the county. In 2003, law enforcement officials reported 37 rapes, an increase of 48 percent over a five-year period.
Between 2001 and 2002, Dallas County showed an increase from 22 rapes to 38 reported incidents.
According to the report, the numbers reflect an honest statistical trend.
“The increase in reported rapes between 2001 and 2002 appears to be an actual trend in reported rapes,” the report stated.
Most rapes occur in the victim's home, according to the report.
The problem is not lost on local officials.
Shannon Lynch, prosecutor for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, covering Dallas County, specializes in prosecuting sexual crimes.
In the next trial week for Dallas County, she has five cases involving first-degree rape charges. One includes three codefendants involved in the same rape.
“For this population it's (occurrences of rape) probably insanely high,” she said.
She said that the district attorney, Michael Jackson, has made it clear to her that rape is a crime that will be taken seriously by his office.
“We're trying to make public when convictions (and) prison sentences happen,” she said. “(People) need to know that if you commit violence against a woman, you're going to go to prison. We're going to send you there. We're going to send you there for a very long time.”
She said she hopes the increase in awareness will help deter more rapes from occurring.
“The consequences will be harsh,” Lynch said. “Maybe people will think twice.”
She said that the state needs to do more, however, to help her do her job.
“The standard back-long in (processing) DNA is about three years,” she said, referring to the length of time it takes for the state's forensics labs to prepare evidence for prosecutors.
“The problem is they're (lab technicians) overworked and understaffed,” Lynch said. She said rape is such a problem in Alabama that the large number of cases contribute to the backlog over time.
She said that because it takes so long for a rape case to go to trial some victims aren't willing to wait three years for a case.
“Every docket that goes past is another month where she doesn't have some kind of closure,” she said.
Selma Police Chief Jimmy Martin said that his department is dedicated to protecting women in the city.
Since the attack last Sunday, Martin said his patrolling officers have increased their awareness and response to “suspicious individuals.”
“That could have happened in any location in the city of Selma,” he said. “We just can't say were that will take place. We can't be everywhere but we are becoming more vigilant of suspicious persons in certain areas.”
He said he's encouraging his officers to conduct more field interviews of people who look suspicious in order to find out more about their surroundings and the potential danger they may pose.
He said in the coming months, the SPD will reinstate its Citizens Police Academy, which includes a “street survival” segment with general safety tips on preventing violent crime, including rape.
As far as Sunday's incident goes, Martin said he is confident the case will be closed soon.
“We're working very hard on the case,” he said. “In a timely fashion, I feel like an arrest will be made after we evaluate everything.”
Martin said his department is still asking for the public's help in solving the crime.
Saturday, December 3, 2005 10:35 PM CST
The Times-Journal
Last Sunday, a 20-year-old Selma woman was kidnapped, held against her will for several hours and raped.
Since then, Selma police have been working hard on capturing her attacker and investigating the case.
Unfortunately, rape is a crime that is growing in frequency all over the state and Dallas County. Statistics compiled by the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center show that both statutory and forcible rapes have increased in Alabama. The cases increased over a five-year period by 9 percent with rapes reportedly increasing from 1,438 cases to 1,561cases from 1999 to 2003.
Between the years of 2001 and 2002, the state showed a 17 percent increase in the number of rapes.
Dallas County's figures show an even bigger increase.
In 1999, 25 rapes were reported in the county. In 2003, law enforcement officials reported 37 rapes, an increase of 48 percent over a five-year period.
Between 2001 and 2002, Dallas County showed an increase from 22 rapes to 38 reported incidents.
According to the report, the numbers reflect an honest statistical trend.
“The increase in reported rapes between 2001 and 2002 appears to be an actual trend in reported rapes,” the report stated.
Most rapes occur in the victim's home, according to the report.
The problem is not lost on local officials.
Shannon Lynch, prosecutor for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, covering Dallas County, specializes in prosecuting sexual crimes.
In the next trial week for Dallas County, she has five cases involving first-degree rape charges. One includes three codefendants involved in the same rape.
“For this population it's (occurrences of rape) probably insanely high,” she said.
She said that the district attorney, Michael Jackson, has made it clear to her that rape is a crime that will be taken seriously by his office.
“We're trying to make public when convictions (and) prison sentences happen,” she said. “(People) need to know that if you commit violence against a woman, you're going to go to prison. We're going to send you there. We're going to send you there for a very long time.”
She said she hopes the increase in awareness will help deter more rapes from occurring.
“The consequences will be harsh,” Lynch said. “Maybe people will think twice.”
She said that the state needs to do more, however, to help her do her job.
“The standard back-long in (processing) DNA is about three years,” she said, referring to the length of time it takes for the state's forensics labs to prepare evidence for prosecutors.
“The problem is they're (lab technicians) overworked and understaffed,” Lynch said. She said rape is such a problem in Alabama that the large number of cases contribute to the backlog over time.
She said that because it takes so long for a rape case to go to trial some victims aren't willing to wait three years for a case.
“Every docket that goes past is another month where she doesn't have some kind of closure,” she said.
Selma Police Chief Jimmy Martin said that his department is dedicated to protecting women in the city.
Since the attack last Sunday, Martin said his patrolling officers have increased their awareness and response to “suspicious individuals.”
“That could have happened in any location in the city of Selma,” he said. “We just can't say were that will take place. We can't be everywhere but we are becoming more vigilant of suspicious persons in certain areas.”
He said he's encouraging his officers to conduct more field interviews of people who look suspicious in order to find out more about their surroundings and the potential danger they may pose.
He said in the coming months, the SPD will reinstate its Citizens Police Academy, which includes a “street survival” segment with general safety tips on preventing violent crime, including rape.
As far as Sunday's incident goes, Martin said he is confident the case will be closed soon.
“We're working very hard on the case,” he said. “In a timely fashion, I feel like an arrest will be made after we evaluate everything.”
Martin said his department is still asking for the public's help in solving the crime.
Teen sought in killing
By Steven Jones
Tuesday, January 3, 2006 11:07 PM CST
The Selma Times-Journal
Andrae Norwood turned 19 on Sunday. Less than 24 hours later, he was dead, shot in the back on Minter Avenue.
“It shouldn't have happened,” Minter Avenue resident Mary Walker said.
Walker knew Norwood. He went to school with her nephew.
Police believe the shooter exited a vehicle and fired at Norwood in the 1500 block. About 13 shell casings from a 9 mm where found on the scene. Norwood was shot once. Walker said she believed the shooting occurred at around 5:30 and 6 p.m. in an alley just off the corner of Minter and MLK.
Broken police tape fluttered at the entrance to the unpaved alley Tuesday as youth in the neighborhood played basketball in the streets.
Police responded to a call from the area at around 7:30 p.m. Monday. They found a large crowd gathered around Norwood, who was found lying on the ground shot in the back. He was transported to Vaughan Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Police are searching for a suspect in the case, Preston Nelson. The 18-year-old is hiding out in Montgomery, Selma Police Chief Jimmy Martin said. His last known address is 3015 W. Dallas Ave. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Martin said he believes others were involved in the shooting.
“I feel like this is going to lead to additional arrests,” Martin said.
Martin said his department should have Nelson in custody soon.
“We feel pretty confident we'll make a swift arrest,” Martin said.
Norwood, a Voeglin Avenue resident, was known around the neighborhood at the corner of Martin Luther King and Minter where he was killed, according to residents.
Some residents say shootings in the area have been on the increase, and they don't expect this one to be the last.
Chris Harrell, a Wal-Mart employee, said it worries him.
“It's rough around here,” he said. “It worries me with my kids. It used to be a pretty good neighborhood.”
Harrell said he's just going to trust in God.
“I just pray,” he said. “You've got all these different things happening: the tsunami, flooding ... The Bible is just revealing itself. It's a sign of the times.”
Tuesday, January 3, 2006 11:07 PM CST
The Selma Times-Journal
Andrae Norwood turned 19 on Sunday. Less than 24 hours later, he was dead, shot in the back on Minter Avenue.
“It shouldn't have happened,” Minter Avenue resident Mary Walker said.
Walker knew Norwood. He went to school with her nephew.
Police believe the shooter exited a vehicle and fired at Norwood in the 1500 block. About 13 shell casings from a 9 mm where found on the scene. Norwood was shot once. Walker said she believed the shooting occurred at around 5:30 and 6 p.m. in an alley just off the corner of Minter and MLK.
Broken police tape fluttered at the entrance to the unpaved alley Tuesday as youth in the neighborhood played basketball in the streets.
Police responded to a call from the area at around 7:30 p.m. Monday. They found a large crowd gathered around Norwood, who was found lying on the ground shot in the back. He was transported to Vaughan Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Police are searching for a suspect in the case, Preston Nelson. The 18-year-old is hiding out in Montgomery, Selma Police Chief Jimmy Martin said. His last known address is 3015 W. Dallas Ave. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Martin said he believes others were involved in the shooting.
“I feel like this is going to lead to additional arrests,” Martin said.
Martin said his department should have Nelson in custody soon.
“We feel pretty confident we'll make a swift arrest,” Martin said.
Norwood, a Voeglin Avenue resident, was known around the neighborhood at the corner of Martin Luther King and Minter where he was killed, according to residents.
Some residents say shootings in the area have been on the increase, and they don't expect this one to be the last.
Chris Harrell, a Wal-Mart employee, said it worries him.
“It's rough around here,” he said. “It worries me with my kids. It used to be a pretty good neighborhood.”
Harrell said he's just going to trust in God.
“I just pray,” he said. “You've got all these different things happening: the tsunami, flooding ... The Bible is just revealing itself. It's a sign of the times.”
$250,000 bond set in murder case
By Steven Jones
Monday, December 12, 2005 10:46 PM CST
The Selma Times-Journal
Jaime Harvell received a $250,000 bond Monday in connection with the shooting death of his 15-year-old brother, Justin.
District Judge Bob Armstrong gave him the bond after hearing evidence presented by the state - including a letter from the boy's parents - saying he was a clear and present danger to the community and himself.
"There's a pretty heavy load on you right now," Armstrong said, as the boy nodded in agreement. "I believe in the power of God working in people's lives. There's hope for you, but you're not going to get out of jail on my watch."
According to officials with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department, Harvell allegedly shot and killed his brother on Nov. 25.
Capt. Roy Freine - who is also Justin's Sunday School teacher - testified that he arrived on the scene shortly after the shooting and found Jaime suffering from apparent hyperventilation.
"The suspect had requested that I come to the scene," Freine said. "His mother met me and hugged my neck and told me her son was dead."
Freine said that he turned the scene over to another officer because of his connection with the suspect and his family.
Sheriff's deputies found the murder weapon and a .357 magnum in the woods near the home.
Jaime was questioned almost immediately after the shooting by officers.
He told them that he was going hunting when he turned at the door of his home on County Road 848. He said that's when the .22 went off, killing Justin.
Freine said he was present during the original interview and requested to interview Jaime a second time.
"I told him we knew he was lying," Freine said.
Freine said that evidence on the scene indicated that Jaime wasn't fully dressed when the crime occurred, like he said. Also, Freine said the angle of the wound indicated that Justin's shooter was above him, not facing him like Jaime said.
"The subject (Jaime), after he fired, tracked through the blood," Freine said. "He was barefoot."
Freine questioned Jaime at Hillcrest Medical Center in Birmingham. Jaime had been sent to the facility at his mother's request, before he was charged in the crime.
After some questioning, Jaime told Freine a different story.
"They (the brothers) had been arguing over some tobacco," Freine said.
Jaime, according to Freine, got angry. He then dismantled the door to the family's gun cabinet with a ratchet and screwdriver head. He took out a .22 rifle, Freine said, because that was the closest weapon.
"(Then he) stood on a coffee table, pointed the gun and pulled the trigger," he said.
Jaime's attorney for the bond hearing, Blanchard McLeod, asked Freine if he believed the crime was anything other that "a rage-type situation."
"There had to be a cooling off period because you had to unbolt the gun case," Freine said. He said the case had four screws that had to be removed.
After the shooting, Freine said Jaime changed into hunting clothes and tennis shoes and got a second weapon out of the case. Freine said the boy indicated he was attempting to arm himself to prevent arrest.
"I specifically asked him if he would shoot law enforcement," Freine said. "He said he would."
"He redressed and rearmed himself specifically for that?" Shannon Lynch, prosecutor, asked.
"Correct," Freine said.
Freine said that despite his own relationship with Jaime, he believed that the 17-year-old wouldn't have hesitated to shoot him at that time.
Before the police arrived, Freine said Jaime pointed the rifle at his father and a nurse who lived nearby. The nurse was on the scene attempting to give medical aid.
When Jaime was distracted, Freine said, his father rushed him and took the rifle.
"He (Jaime's father) knew (Jaime) couldn't get but one shot off and he took his chance," Freine said.
After Freine interviewed him, Jaime was arrested at Hillcrest and transported to the Dallas County Jail. Since there, Freine had the boy put on suicide watch.
"The suicide (watch) tends to come from the fact that (Jaime) didn't want to go to jail," Freine said.
Except for the occasional shake of his head, Jaime was silent and red-eyed through the hearing. He was dressed in an orange jumpsuit with his hands and feet shackled together.
Freine said that the boy's parents are heartbroken over the entire ordeal.
"His parents love (Jaime) but they are scared of what he will do," Freine said. "I know this."
Monday, December 12, 2005 10:46 PM CST
The Selma Times-Journal
Jaime Harvell received a $250,000 bond Monday in connection with the shooting death of his 15-year-old brother, Justin.
District Judge Bob Armstrong gave him the bond after hearing evidence presented by the state - including a letter from the boy's parents - saying he was a clear and present danger to the community and himself.
"There's a pretty heavy load on you right now," Armstrong said, as the boy nodded in agreement. "I believe in the power of God working in people's lives. There's hope for you, but you're not going to get out of jail on my watch."
According to officials with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department, Harvell allegedly shot and killed his brother on Nov. 25.
Capt. Roy Freine - who is also Justin's Sunday School teacher - testified that he arrived on the scene shortly after the shooting and found Jaime suffering from apparent hyperventilation.
"The suspect had requested that I come to the scene," Freine said. "His mother met me and hugged my neck and told me her son was dead."
Freine said that he turned the scene over to another officer because of his connection with the suspect and his family.
Sheriff's deputies found the murder weapon and a .357 magnum in the woods near the home.
Jaime was questioned almost immediately after the shooting by officers.
He told them that he was going hunting when he turned at the door of his home on County Road 848. He said that's when the .22 went off, killing Justin.
Freine said he was present during the original interview and requested to interview Jaime a second time.
"I told him we knew he was lying," Freine said.
Freine said that evidence on the scene indicated that Jaime wasn't fully dressed when the crime occurred, like he said. Also, Freine said the angle of the wound indicated that Justin's shooter was above him, not facing him like Jaime said.
"The subject (Jaime), after he fired, tracked through the blood," Freine said. "He was barefoot."
Freine questioned Jaime at Hillcrest Medical Center in Birmingham. Jaime had been sent to the facility at his mother's request, before he was charged in the crime.
After some questioning, Jaime told Freine a different story.
"They (the brothers) had been arguing over some tobacco," Freine said.
Jaime, according to Freine, got angry. He then dismantled the door to the family's gun cabinet with a ratchet and screwdriver head. He took out a .22 rifle, Freine said, because that was the closest weapon.
"(Then he) stood on a coffee table, pointed the gun and pulled the trigger," he said.
Jaime's attorney for the bond hearing, Blanchard McLeod, asked Freine if he believed the crime was anything other that "a rage-type situation."
"There had to be a cooling off period because you had to unbolt the gun case," Freine said. He said the case had four screws that had to be removed.
After the shooting, Freine said Jaime changed into hunting clothes and tennis shoes and got a second weapon out of the case. Freine said the boy indicated he was attempting to arm himself to prevent arrest.
"I specifically asked him if he would shoot law enforcement," Freine said. "He said he would."
"He redressed and rearmed himself specifically for that?" Shannon Lynch, prosecutor, asked.
"Correct," Freine said.
Freine said that despite his own relationship with Jaime, he believed that the 17-year-old wouldn't have hesitated to shoot him at that time.
Before the police arrived, Freine said Jaime pointed the rifle at his father and a nurse who lived nearby. The nurse was on the scene attempting to give medical aid.
When Jaime was distracted, Freine said, his father rushed him and took the rifle.
"He (Jaime's father) knew (Jaime) couldn't get but one shot off and he took his chance," Freine said.
After Freine interviewed him, Jaime was arrested at Hillcrest and transported to the Dallas County Jail. Since there, Freine had the boy put on suicide watch.
"The suicide (watch) tends to come from the fact that (Jaime) didn't want to go to jail," Freine said.
Except for the occasional shake of his head, Jaime was silent and red-eyed through the hearing. He was dressed in an orange jumpsuit with his hands and feet shackled together.
Freine said that the boy's parents are heartbroken over the entire ordeal.
"His parents love (Jaime) but they are scared of what he will do," Freine said. "I know this."
Cleanup begins
By Steven Jones
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
The Selma Times-Journal
Brett Howard has a simple explanation for why Hurricane Dennis wasn't as bad as forecasters expected it to be: God.
“He didn't want me to go through that again,” the director for the Dallas County Emergency Management Agency said, jokingly referring to Hurricane Ivan's impact.
Divine intervention aside, while Dennis wasn't as devastating on the area as Ivan was, it still took its toll.
As of 3 p.m. Monday, 11 buildings in Dallas County reported damage to the EMA. Three homes were totally destroyed.
Howard said the Black Belt Red Cross would be working with the residents to provide food and shelter where needed.
“What type of response we give is going to depend on each individual family's needs,” ARC director Jeanette Crusoe said.
Crusoe said the ARC is currently sending out people to do damage assessments as the calls for assistance come in.
“We're just beginning to get calls in,” she said.
In addition to the structural damage caused by Dennis, thousands of area residents were without power as of Monday afternoon.
Jan Ellis, spokesperson for Alabama Power said that about 6,400 AP customers were in the dark Monday afternoon in the Selma area.
Pioneer Electric reported about 7,000 households hit by Dennis.
Terry Wilhite, of Pioneer, said while the number of outages was high the system was relatively intact.
“It's extremely good news,” Wilhite said. “We have attacked the damage. By dark today (Monday) we hope to have electricity restored.”
While damage was extensive, this time around, the federal, state and local officials should be able to save taxpayer money.
After Ivan, due to power outages, the EMA brought in truckloads of ice and MREs, to make up for groceries lost during power outages that lasted more than a week in some cases.
The county also had to contract outside help for debris cleanup.
This year is different.
“The grocery stores are open,” Howard said, reasoning that residents could get ice if they needed it.
“We're not bringing in any MREs or ice,” he said. “We're going to clean up our own debris.”
The city was in a similar situation as well.
“It's pretty much standard operating procedure,” Mayor James Perkins Jr. said. “We didn't sustain the level of damage we did with Ivan.”
Perkins said the city will be cleaning up debris in the coming days, but he's hoping to avoid overtime among city employees in the process.
Even so, Perkins said if city employees do get overtime it will be kept at a minimum.
Reports from Orrville indicated that Dennis wasn't much of a problem there either.
Gene McHugh, Orrville's mayor, said that the city didn't take on much property damage.
“We were real fortunate that we survived with minor damage,” he said. “We survived pretty well.”
McHugh said the city's power was restored after utility workers removed a tree from a line.
While most of the residents in the area escaped unharmed, there's still a lot of work that needs doing.
Howard said the Black Belt as a region has more outages than any other area in the state with over 90,000 people without power.
Alabama Power is bringing in about 250 workers in the next few days, according to Ellis.
With all the hotels full, Howard said he was working with the Alabama National Guard to allow them to use the Dallas County Armory to house at least 100 workers.
“They're staging all the Black Belt operations here,” Howard said.
All of the work will take some time.
Howard said it would be at least a month before the county completed debris cleanup.
All the area electricity providers said they would be working around the clock to get everyone back on, but it would probably take some time before service would be completely restored.
Ellis said power restoration would take some time because of the nature of the repairs.
“They're so scattered,” she said. “It's a line down here and a line down there.”
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
The Selma Times-Journal
Brett Howard has a simple explanation for why Hurricane Dennis wasn't as bad as forecasters expected it to be: God.
“He didn't want me to go through that again,” the director for the Dallas County Emergency Management Agency said, jokingly referring to Hurricane Ivan's impact.
Divine intervention aside, while Dennis wasn't as devastating on the area as Ivan was, it still took its toll.
As of 3 p.m. Monday, 11 buildings in Dallas County reported damage to the EMA. Three homes were totally destroyed.
Howard said the Black Belt Red Cross would be working with the residents to provide food and shelter where needed.
“What type of response we give is going to depend on each individual family's needs,” ARC director Jeanette Crusoe said.
Crusoe said the ARC is currently sending out people to do damage assessments as the calls for assistance come in.
“We're just beginning to get calls in,” she said.
In addition to the structural damage caused by Dennis, thousands of area residents were without power as of Monday afternoon.
Jan Ellis, spokesperson for Alabama Power said that about 6,400 AP customers were in the dark Monday afternoon in the Selma area.
Pioneer Electric reported about 7,000 households hit by Dennis.
Terry Wilhite, of Pioneer, said while the number of outages was high the system was relatively intact.
“It's extremely good news,” Wilhite said. “We have attacked the damage. By dark today (Monday) we hope to have electricity restored.”
While damage was extensive, this time around, the federal, state and local officials should be able to save taxpayer money.
After Ivan, due to power outages, the EMA brought in truckloads of ice and MREs, to make up for groceries lost during power outages that lasted more than a week in some cases.
The county also had to contract outside help for debris cleanup.
This year is different.
“The grocery stores are open,” Howard said, reasoning that residents could get ice if they needed it.
“We're not bringing in any MREs or ice,” he said. “We're going to clean up our own debris.”
The city was in a similar situation as well.
“It's pretty much standard operating procedure,” Mayor James Perkins Jr. said. “We didn't sustain the level of damage we did with Ivan.”
Perkins said the city will be cleaning up debris in the coming days, but he's hoping to avoid overtime among city employees in the process.
Even so, Perkins said if city employees do get overtime it will be kept at a minimum.
Reports from Orrville indicated that Dennis wasn't much of a problem there either.
Gene McHugh, Orrville's mayor, said that the city didn't take on much property damage.
“We were real fortunate that we survived with minor damage,” he said. “We survived pretty well.”
McHugh said the city's power was restored after utility workers removed a tree from a line.
While most of the residents in the area escaped unharmed, there's still a lot of work that needs doing.
Howard said the Black Belt as a region has more outages than any other area in the state with over 90,000 people without power.
Alabama Power is bringing in about 250 workers in the next few days, according to Ellis.
With all the hotels full, Howard said he was working with the Alabama National Guard to allow them to use the Dallas County Armory to house at least 100 workers.
“They're staging all the Black Belt operations here,” Howard said.
All of the work will take some time.
Howard said it would be at least a month before the county completed debris cleanup.
All the area electricity providers said they would be working around the clock to get everyone back on, but it would probably take some time before service would be completely restored.
Ellis said power restoration would take some time because of the nature of the repairs.
“They're so scattered,” she said. “It's a line down here and a line down there.”
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