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.”
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Selma man faces murder charges
By Steven Jones
The Selma Times-Journal
Antonio “Meechie” Hardy, dressed in all black,and stared impassively into the distance, while prosecutors questioned witnesses who say he shot and killed Quincey Dudley in April 2004.
“Antonio Hardy slapped Quincy Dudley in the face, stepped back, drew a pistol, pointed it at him and shot,” Fourth Judicial Circuit prosecutor Tracy Roberts told the jury in his opening statement in Judge Thomas Jones’ court Tuesday.
Hardy, of Ickerman Alley, was arrested on Friday, April 23 for the murder of Dudley — also known as “Q” — after he and Dudley allegedly fought over Hardy’s girlfriend, Angie “Angie B” McDaniel, according to police reports.
Dudley was found dead between two houses at 310 and 314 Alabama Ave., between Laspley and Pelham Street.
He was shot once. According to autopsy reports, he was shot with a 9 mm in the left side. The bullet went through his chest, exited out the right side and penetrated his right arm.
Dudley, a known drug dealer, was lured to the home of Hardy’s father — Johnny Mac Hardy — on 304 Alabama with the promise of a sale, according to the prosecutor.
Hardy argued with his girlfriend earlier that night, Roberts said.
When Dudley arrived, a witness said Hardy slapped him and then shot him as Dudley ran for cover.
At yesterday’s trial, the state presented witnesses they say proves Hardy’s guilt.
The defense disagreed.
P. Vaughan Russell Sr., representing Hardy, said the prosecution didn’t have sufficient physical evidence to justify the charges.
Russell said the state couldn’t produce a weapon in the case and that the witnesses were unreliable at best.
“We expect there will be evidence in the case that is highly questionable,” Russell said in his opening statement. “This case is more like Sherlock Holmes in the 17th Century than CSI.”
Russell said the witnesses in the case were coerced by the police, investigators and prosecutors.
“(The) witnesses have an agenda,” he said. “We think that will be part of this case.”
The prosecution opened the case with testimony from Dudley’s girlfriend, Mary Lynn Johnson, who was living with him on Washtington Street at the time of the murder.
She testified that Dudley left their home in her 1995 white Nissan Maxima at around 10 p.m. the night of the murder.
“What did he say?” Roberts asked.
“‘Baby, I’ll be right back,’” she said.
Later, Johnson received a call from the Selma Police Department reporting that her car had been found abandoned.
After a brief cross, Roberts called Officer Carlos Jones to the stand.
Carlos discovered Dudley’s body at about 6 p.m. the day after the shooting.
Showing grisly crime scene photos, Jones explained in detail how the body was found and why police couldn’t find it quicker.
Roberts asked Jones if he knew who the body was.
“Yes,” Jones said.
“How?”
“We went to school together,” Jones told Roberts.
As Jones described the scene depicted in the photos, Dudley’s mother burst into tears and fled the room.
Russell asked Jones about Johnny Mac’s home.
Russell alleged that the home was a “shot house,” a home where alcohol was illegally sold and served.
“I can’t say,” Jones said.
Jones also said the body was found with $704 in cash and a bag of cocaine and a bag of marijuana, after questioning from Russell.
Brian Johnson took the stand for the prosecution next.
Johnson, who wore a Bama Budwieser uniform to court, testified that he was inside Johnny Mac’s when the shooting occurred.
Johnson told the court that Hardy was arguing with a woman when he arrived.
Later, Johnson said, a man he didn’t know arrived in a white Nissan.
Hardy went outside with two others.
“I was in the house when I heard some shots,” Johnson said. “I went outside.”
Johnson said Hardy told the group when he came outside that he’d slapped and believed he’d shot “Q.”
“He just said it,” he said.
Johnson testified that he turned off the radio in the Nissan, per Johnny Mac Hardy’s instructions.
Antonio Hardy told him to get in the car and move it, Johnson said.
Johnson then drove the car to Ickerman Alley.
Hardy again told him to move the vehicle.
“I didn’t move it anymore,” he said.
Johnson testified that the left with a friend after that.
Russell cross-examined Johnson.
Russell alleged that Johnson only testified after police and investigators coerced him. He said Johnson had changed his statement at least twice.
“You invented all this mess,” he said. “You made it up.”
“I didn’t make up anything,” Johnson said.
Next, Roberts called Jowana Chaney to the stand.
Chaney said she saw a white Nissan pass by her home followed by Hardy in his car.
She said she recognized Hardy’s car because of the cracked windshield.
She also told the court that two streetlights in front of her home allowed her to see Hardy driving.
“Those two cars went into Ickerman Alley,” she said.
Russell said her statement also changed.
He said she told police the other side of the windshield was cracked.
“When I made that statement I was nervous, upset, mad and pissed off,” she told Russell.
Russell entered into evidence an invoice or work order. He indicated it showed the windshield was fixed on March 30, 2004, about three weeks before the crime was committed.
He asked Chaney to tell the juror about the document, but an objection raised by Roberts was sustained.
Jones said Chaney couldn’t speak to exactly what the document signified.
Roberts then called Shawn Leashore, 31, of Selma to the stand.
Leashore testified that he was at Johnny Mac’s for much of the night and witnessed the crime.
He said he arrived at the home at about 9:45 p.m. He said that Hardy and McDaniel were arguing.
“They were arguing about Angie being at a room with Quincy,” he said. “The next thing I knew, he slapped her.”
After Angie left, he testified that he knew Hardy called Dudley. Hardy told people there when Dudley arrived they would fight, Leashore said.
He said about 15 minutes later Dudley arrived.
“All of us went (outside) at the same time,” he said.
“Why?” asked Roberts.
“‘Cause we was going to see a fight,” he said.
Dudley said Hardy wasted no time.
“(Hardy) just walked up to him and slapped him,” he said. “Then Quincy pulled his shirt up.”
“Did you see any weapons?” Roberts asked.
“I didn’t see none,” Leashore said. “I saw Antonio pull out a gun and shoot twice.”
“What kind?”
“A 9 mm.”
“What color?”
“All black.”
“You knew Antonio to carry a gun?”
“Yeah.”
“What was Quincy doing when he got shot?”
“He was trying to get away,” Leashore said.
Later, Leashore testified that Hardy sent him between the two houses where Dudley ran.
“Antonio asked you to look between 310 and 314 (Alabama Avenue). Did you go far?” Roberts asked.
“No.”
“Why?”
“I was scared.”
Leashore told Hardy he didn’t see Dudley.
Hardy went looking for himself, Leashore said.
“He had a cell phone with him,” Leashore said.
Robert asked where it came from.
“Out his pocket.”
“Who’s pocket?”
“Quincy’s.”
Roberts said that Leashore’s statement changed during the investigation.
He asked Leashore what he told police first.
“I told them I didn’t do nothing or see nothing or know anything at all,” he said. “I didn’t want to get involved. I was scared.”
Russell questioned Leashore’s credibility.
“We know you lied, the only question is if you lied then or now,” he said.
“I lied then,” Leashore said.
He again asked about the purpose of Johnny Mac’s home.
“This 304 is a shot house?”
“Yes,” Leashore said.
He also asked Leashore why he didn’t call authorities.
“You think a shot man might need an ambulance?” he asked.
“Yes,” Leashore said.
Russell also questioned Leashore’s ability to see and hear everything that occurred.
“You must be leaping across that yard,” Russell said.
Russell also questioned his sobriety that night.
“How much reefer had you smoked and how much alcohol had you drunk?”
“I can’t recall,” Leashore said.
Then Russell asked Leashore about his statements and why they changed.
“They told you you were a suspect didn’t they?”
“They said I can go down too,” Leashore said.
He was the last witness called in the trial.
Shortly after Leashore left the stand, Jones called for an overnight recess.
Russell said he was pleased with the progression of the trial so far.
“A lot of things don’t make sense,” he said. “This case doesn’t make sense and won’t make sense.”
Neither Roberts nor district attorney Michael Jackson wanted to comment on the case. The trial will resume today at 9 a.m.
The Selma Times-Journal
Antonio “Meechie” Hardy, dressed in all black,and stared impassively into the distance, while prosecutors questioned witnesses who say he shot and killed Quincey Dudley in April 2004.
“Antonio Hardy slapped Quincy Dudley in the face, stepped back, drew a pistol, pointed it at him and shot,” Fourth Judicial Circuit prosecutor Tracy Roberts told the jury in his opening statement in Judge Thomas Jones’ court Tuesday.
Hardy, of Ickerman Alley, was arrested on Friday, April 23 for the murder of Dudley — also known as “Q” — after he and Dudley allegedly fought over Hardy’s girlfriend, Angie “Angie B” McDaniel, according to police reports.
Dudley was found dead between two houses at 310 and 314 Alabama Ave., between Laspley and Pelham Street.
He was shot once. According to autopsy reports, he was shot with a 9 mm in the left side. The bullet went through his chest, exited out the right side and penetrated his right arm.
Dudley, a known drug dealer, was lured to the home of Hardy’s father — Johnny Mac Hardy — on 304 Alabama with the promise of a sale, according to the prosecutor.
Hardy argued with his girlfriend earlier that night, Roberts said.
When Dudley arrived, a witness said Hardy slapped him and then shot him as Dudley ran for cover.
At yesterday’s trial, the state presented witnesses they say proves Hardy’s guilt.
The defense disagreed.
P. Vaughan Russell Sr., representing Hardy, said the prosecution didn’t have sufficient physical evidence to justify the charges.
Russell said the state couldn’t produce a weapon in the case and that the witnesses were unreliable at best.
“We expect there will be evidence in the case that is highly questionable,” Russell said in his opening statement. “This case is more like Sherlock Holmes in the 17th Century than CSI.”
Russell said the witnesses in the case were coerced by the police, investigators and prosecutors.
“(The) witnesses have an agenda,” he said. “We think that will be part of this case.”
The prosecution opened the case with testimony from Dudley’s girlfriend, Mary Lynn Johnson, who was living with him on Washtington Street at the time of the murder.
She testified that Dudley left their home in her 1995 white Nissan Maxima at around 10 p.m. the night of the murder.
“What did he say?” Roberts asked.
“‘Baby, I’ll be right back,’” she said.
Later, Johnson received a call from the Selma Police Department reporting that her car had been found abandoned.
After a brief cross, Roberts called Officer Carlos Jones to the stand.
Carlos discovered Dudley’s body at about 6 p.m. the day after the shooting.
Showing grisly crime scene photos, Jones explained in detail how the body was found and why police couldn’t find it quicker.
Roberts asked Jones if he knew who the body was.
“Yes,” Jones said.
“How?”
“We went to school together,” Jones told Roberts.
As Jones described the scene depicted in the photos, Dudley’s mother burst into tears and fled the room.
Russell asked Jones about Johnny Mac’s home.
Russell alleged that the home was a “shot house,” a home where alcohol was illegally sold and served.
“I can’t say,” Jones said.
Jones also said the body was found with $704 in cash and a bag of cocaine and a bag of marijuana, after questioning from Russell.
Brian Johnson took the stand for the prosecution next.
Johnson, who wore a Bama Budwieser uniform to court, testified that he was inside Johnny Mac’s when the shooting occurred.
Johnson told the court that Hardy was arguing with a woman when he arrived.
Later, Johnson said, a man he didn’t know arrived in a white Nissan.
Hardy went outside with two others.
“I was in the house when I heard some shots,” Johnson said. “I went outside.”
Johnson said Hardy told the group when he came outside that he’d slapped and believed he’d shot “Q.”
“He just said it,” he said.
Johnson testified that he turned off the radio in the Nissan, per Johnny Mac Hardy’s instructions.
Antonio Hardy told him to get in the car and move it, Johnson said.
Johnson then drove the car to Ickerman Alley.
Hardy again told him to move the vehicle.
“I didn’t move it anymore,” he said.
Johnson testified that the left with a friend after that.
Russell cross-examined Johnson.
Russell alleged that Johnson only testified after police and investigators coerced him. He said Johnson had changed his statement at least twice.
“You invented all this mess,” he said. “You made it up.”
“I didn’t make up anything,” Johnson said.
Next, Roberts called Jowana Chaney to the stand.
Chaney said she saw a white Nissan pass by her home followed by Hardy in his car.
She said she recognized Hardy’s car because of the cracked windshield.
She also told the court that two streetlights in front of her home allowed her to see Hardy driving.
“Those two cars went into Ickerman Alley,” she said.
Russell said her statement also changed.
He said she told police the other side of the windshield was cracked.
“When I made that statement I was nervous, upset, mad and pissed off,” she told Russell.
Russell entered into evidence an invoice or work order. He indicated it showed the windshield was fixed on March 30, 2004, about three weeks before the crime was committed.
He asked Chaney to tell the juror about the document, but an objection raised by Roberts was sustained.
Jones said Chaney couldn’t speak to exactly what the document signified.
Roberts then called Shawn Leashore, 31, of Selma to the stand.
Leashore testified that he was at Johnny Mac’s for much of the night and witnessed the crime.
He said he arrived at the home at about 9:45 p.m. He said that Hardy and McDaniel were arguing.
“They were arguing about Angie being at a room with Quincy,” he said. “The next thing I knew, he slapped her.”
After Angie left, he testified that he knew Hardy called Dudley. Hardy told people there when Dudley arrived they would fight, Leashore said.
He said about 15 minutes later Dudley arrived.
“All of us went (outside) at the same time,” he said.
“Why?” asked Roberts.
“‘Cause we was going to see a fight,” he said.
Dudley said Hardy wasted no time.
“(Hardy) just walked up to him and slapped him,” he said. “Then Quincy pulled his shirt up.”
“Did you see any weapons?” Roberts asked.
“I didn’t see none,” Leashore said. “I saw Antonio pull out a gun and shoot twice.”
“What kind?”
“A 9 mm.”
“What color?”
“All black.”
“You knew Antonio to carry a gun?”
“Yeah.”
“What was Quincy doing when he got shot?”
“He was trying to get away,” Leashore said.
Later, Leashore testified that Hardy sent him between the two houses where Dudley ran.
“Antonio asked you to look between 310 and 314 (Alabama Avenue). Did you go far?” Roberts asked.
“No.”
“Why?”
“I was scared.”
Leashore told Hardy he didn’t see Dudley.
Hardy went looking for himself, Leashore said.
“He had a cell phone with him,” Leashore said.
Robert asked where it came from.
“Out his pocket.”
“Who’s pocket?”
“Quincy’s.”
Roberts said that Leashore’s statement changed during the investigation.
He asked Leashore what he told police first.
“I told them I didn’t do nothing or see nothing or know anything at all,” he said. “I didn’t want to get involved. I was scared.”
Russell questioned Leashore’s credibility.
“We know you lied, the only question is if you lied then or now,” he said.
“I lied then,” Leashore said.
He again asked about the purpose of Johnny Mac’s home.
“This 304 is a shot house?”
“Yes,” Leashore said.
He also asked Leashore why he didn’t call authorities.
“You think a shot man might need an ambulance?” he asked.
“Yes,” Leashore said.
Russell also questioned Leashore’s ability to see and hear everything that occurred.
“You must be leaping across that yard,” Russell said.
Russell also questioned his sobriety that night.
“How much reefer had you smoked and how much alcohol had you drunk?”
“I can’t recall,” Leashore said.
Then Russell asked Leashore about his statements and why they changed.
“They told you you were a suspect didn’t they?”
“They said I can go down too,” Leashore said.
He was the last witness called in the trial.
Shortly after Leashore left the stand, Jones called for an overnight recess.
Russell said he was pleased with the progression of the trial so far.
“A lot of things don’t make sense,” he said. “This case doesn’t make sense and won’t make sense.”
Neither Roberts nor district attorney Michael Jackson wanted to comment on the case. The trial will resume today at 9 a.m.
Howard pleads guilty to manslaughter
By Steven Jones
the Selma times-journal
After an hour and a half of arguing among the defendant’s lawyers and state prosecutors, a jury was seated in a 2004 murder case.
Some members were barely comfortable when Johnny Lee Howard Jr. pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the case.
Presiding Circuit Judge Marvin Wiggins referred jurors to district attorney Michael Jackson about any questions and thanked them for their time.
One juror looked up at Jackson immediately.
“What happened?” he asked.
Jackson smiled.
“He pled guilty to manslaughter,” he said.
Howard — originally charged with murder in the case — pleaded guilty in exchange for a lesser charge.
Because no plea agreement had been arranged beforehand, Howard “pleaded blind” in the case, which means the judge must determine the sentence.
Howard, 41, shot and killed his common law wife of three years, Lynelle Wynn, in their home at 1905 First Avenue on Nov. 13, 2004, while her four children — Howard had no children with Wynn — were in an nearby room.
Police reports show that Howard called the police after the shooting.
He said they’d been arguing over who she was hanging around with when they both grabbed for the double-barreled, 12-gauge shotgun on their headboard, according to court records.
During the scuffle over the weapon, Howard told police the gun went off, shooting Wynn in her left breast.
Wynn was killed instantly.
“(The) autopsy showed that the shotgun wound was fatal and shredded her heart,” Jimmy Thomas, prosecutor in the trial, said.
The state filed a motion with Wiggins yesterday, to revoke Howard’s bond. Wiggins denied the motion.
Because Howard is still on bond, he won’t go to jail until sentencing, in January.
Manslaugher carries a minimum sentence of two years in prison and a maximum of 20.
The district attorney’s office said they were pleased with the outcome of the case.
“This case shows how serious domestic violence can be,” Jackson said. “He’s going to have a lot of time in prison to learn how to restrain himself.”
Thomas agreed.
“It’s often been said there’s a fine line between love and hate,” he said. “This case is a classic example of how serious domestic violence is a serious problem in this county and this nation.”
Billy Faile, Howard’s representative, said both he and his client were content with the plea.
“We’re pleased that we were able to resolve it like we did,” he said. “I’m satisfied and my client’s satisfied.”
the Selma times-journal
After an hour and a half of arguing among the defendant’s lawyers and state prosecutors, a jury was seated in a 2004 murder case.
Some members were barely comfortable when Johnny Lee Howard Jr. pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the case.
Presiding Circuit Judge Marvin Wiggins referred jurors to district attorney Michael Jackson about any questions and thanked them for their time.
One juror looked up at Jackson immediately.
“What happened?” he asked.
Jackson smiled.
“He pled guilty to manslaughter,” he said.
Howard — originally charged with murder in the case — pleaded guilty in exchange for a lesser charge.
Because no plea agreement had been arranged beforehand, Howard “pleaded blind” in the case, which means the judge must determine the sentence.
Howard, 41, shot and killed his common law wife of three years, Lynelle Wynn, in their home at 1905 First Avenue on Nov. 13, 2004, while her four children — Howard had no children with Wynn — were in an nearby room.
Police reports show that Howard called the police after the shooting.
He said they’d been arguing over who she was hanging around with when they both grabbed for the double-barreled, 12-gauge shotgun on their headboard, according to court records.
During the scuffle over the weapon, Howard told police the gun went off, shooting Wynn in her left breast.
Wynn was killed instantly.
“(The) autopsy showed that the shotgun wound was fatal and shredded her heart,” Jimmy Thomas, prosecutor in the trial, said.
The state filed a motion with Wiggins yesterday, to revoke Howard’s bond. Wiggins denied the motion.
Because Howard is still on bond, he won’t go to jail until sentencing, in January.
Manslaugher carries a minimum sentence of two years in prison and a maximum of 20.
The district attorney’s office said they were pleased with the outcome of the case.
“This case shows how serious domestic violence can be,” Jackson said. “He’s going to have a lot of time in prison to learn how to restrain himself.”
Thomas agreed.
“It’s often been said there’s a fine line between love and hate,” he said. “This case is a classic example of how serious domestic violence is a serious problem in this county and this nation.”
Billy Faile, Howard’s representative, said both he and his client were content with the plea.
“We’re pleased that we were able to resolve it like we did,” he said. “I’m satisfied and my client’s satisfied.”
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Water board keep rates
Water board keeps rates
By Steven Jones
Tuesday, October 11, 2005 11:32 PM CDT
By Steven Jones
The Selma Times-Journal
Despite assurances from members at Monday's public forum, the Dallas County Water and Sewer Authority didn't lower rates at Tuesday's regular meeting.
Chairperson Evelyn Huff said the board hasn't had a chance to discuss the rate changes, but will do so as soon as possible.
Huff, along with the rest of the board, was criticized by more than 300 residents at a public meeting Monday at Tipton Middle School.
Along with County Commissioner Connell Towns, board members said they would review the rate increase, which was at least 66 percent, and try to lower it.
”I'm going to meet with the water board,“ he said Monday. ”We're going to come up with a solution to lower your water rate.“
Huff agreed.
”I'm ready to go back to the drawing board,“ she said.
Still, Huff, along with the rest of the board and representatives from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Alabama Rural Water Association defended the increase at Tuesday's meeting, which was also packed to capacity at the authority's office on Old Montgomery Highway.
”This board is trying to work with this community the best it can,“ she said.
Catherine Phillips, of the ARWA, helped put together the rate increase.
She said it was reasonable.
”$17.15 is below the state average,“ she said, referring to the amount paid by customers under the new rate for the first 2,000 gallons of water.
Huff and the board allowed members of the community to chose a representative to speak for them.
”We will allow one of you to speak,“ she said.
Bill Minor, member of the Dallas County School Board, took the lead.
”Try to reduce your rates,“ he said. ”Bring them down.“
Minor offered to help find grant writers to work on getting funding for upgrades to the water system.
”We're just here to try and find a common solution without jumping up and down,“ he said.
Board members said Monday the increase would be used to pay for major repairs, which hadn't been done in more than 30 years.
Huff said she appreciated Minor's demeanor Tuesday, but felt the community at larged should have approached the issues similarly at Monday's meeting.
”I wish this community would have come to us last night like they did tonight,“ she said.
Huff said members of the community wouldn't let the board state their case at Monday's meeting.
”The board tried to address this thing,“ she said. ”For some reason or another people did not want to listen (at Monday's meeting).“
Huff also defended the board about being flexible with customers, an issue she brought up at Monday's meeting.
Huff said the board made payment arrangements with many of the people who spoke out at Monday's meeting against the increase.
”When we make payment arrangements we make a list,“ she said Tuesday. ”We're not going to get into that.“
The board also mentioned late and unpaid bills at the Tuesday meeting.
The board has about $8,000 in arrears from September according to financial reports presented at last night's meeting.
Loren Crawford, ADEM representative, said the arrears showed a lot about the community.
”What that tells me is the community is not working with the water system,“ he said. ”The community is not paying their bills.“
Later, after hearing from Minor and other members of the audience, the board went into executive session to discuss good name and character issues, Huff said.
By Steven Jones
Tuesday, October 11, 2005 11:32 PM CDT
By Steven Jones
The Selma Times-Journal
Despite assurances from members at Monday's public forum, the Dallas County Water and Sewer Authority didn't lower rates at Tuesday's regular meeting.
Chairperson Evelyn Huff said the board hasn't had a chance to discuss the rate changes, but will do so as soon as possible.
Huff, along with the rest of the board, was criticized by more than 300 residents at a public meeting Monday at Tipton Middle School.
Along with County Commissioner Connell Towns, board members said they would review the rate increase, which was at least 66 percent, and try to lower it.
”I'm going to meet with the water board,“ he said Monday. ”We're going to come up with a solution to lower your water rate.“
Huff agreed.
”I'm ready to go back to the drawing board,“ she said.
Still, Huff, along with the rest of the board and representatives from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Alabama Rural Water Association defended the increase at Tuesday's meeting, which was also packed to capacity at the authority's office on Old Montgomery Highway.
”This board is trying to work with this community the best it can,“ she said.
Catherine Phillips, of the ARWA, helped put together the rate increase.
She said it was reasonable.
”$17.15 is below the state average,“ she said, referring to the amount paid by customers under the new rate for the first 2,000 gallons of water.
Huff and the board allowed members of the community to chose a representative to speak for them.
”We will allow one of you to speak,“ she said.
Bill Minor, member of the Dallas County School Board, took the lead.
”Try to reduce your rates,“ he said. ”Bring them down.“
Minor offered to help find grant writers to work on getting funding for upgrades to the water system.
”We're just here to try and find a common solution without jumping up and down,“ he said.
Board members said Monday the increase would be used to pay for major repairs, which hadn't been done in more than 30 years.
Huff said she appreciated Minor's demeanor Tuesday, but felt the community at larged should have approached the issues similarly at Monday's meeting.
”I wish this community would have come to us last night like they did tonight,“ she said.
Huff said members of the community wouldn't let the board state their case at Monday's meeting.
”The board tried to address this thing,“ she said. ”For some reason or another people did not want to listen (at Monday's meeting).“
Huff also defended the board about being flexible with customers, an issue she brought up at Monday's meeting.
Huff said the board made payment arrangements with many of the people who spoke out at Monday's meeting against the increase.
”When we make payment arrangements we make a list,“ she said Tuesday. ”We're not going to get into that.“
The board also mentioned late and unpaid bills at the Tuesday meeting.
The board has about $8,000 in arrears from September according to financial reports presented at last night's meeting.
Loren Crawford, ADEM representative, said the arrears showed a lot about the community.
”What that tells me is the community is not working with the water system,“ he said. ”The community is not paying their bills.“
Later, after hearing from Minor and other members of the audience, the board went into executive session to discuss good name and character issues, Huff said.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Dallas County Water and Sewer hikes rates
Above: Dolly Jackson’s bill increased from $33.73 to $74.92.
By Steven Jones
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."
Fast fact:
The Dallas County Water and Sewer Authority increased its rates about 66 percent. Now customers pay $17.15 for their first 2,000 gallons of water, up from $10.50 for the first 3,000 gallons. They pay $3 per gallon for the next 1,000 gallons sold, up from $2 per gallon for 2,000 gallons. Sewage rates have increased as well, now at $15.50 for the first 2,000 gallons, up from $10.50 for the first 3,000. The next 1,000 gallons costs $2.50, up from $1.50 for 2,000 gallons.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Selma residents to pay $28.66 more per month for natural gas
By Steven Jones
The Selma Times-Journal
The average Selma resident will be paying $28.66 more per month on their gas bill, after rate increases from Alagasco take effect this winter, according to company officials.
Alabama Gas Corporation (Alagasco) said its rates had to increase, citing problems with natural gas supplies as the result of Katrina and Rita.
“Coupled with already short supplies, we had to increase our charge,” Mixon Russ, head of the Selma office of Alagasco, said.
Gas company officials said the supply lines to Alabama have been damaged by the spate of hurricanes sweeping the Gulf Coast recently.
While prices may dip a little in the coming months, as supply lines are repaired, Russ said the increase is here to stay.
“We’re not looking for it to go down appreciably any time in the near future,” he said.
Rates will increase a total of about 37 percent for the entire year including utility taxes, or about $344, Russ said.
The increase is significant, Russ said, but he was pleased that Alagasco was able to keep rates lower than the national increase in energy prices.
“I would like to stress there is a national problem,” Russ said. “We were fortunate this year to have our rates not go as high as (other) natural gas utilities.”
Russ said the company managed to keep prices low because Alagasco bought natural gas futures before the shortage occurred.
“That’s due to some price hedging we’ve done,” he said. “The public service commission gave Alabama Gas the ability to go out and buy gas in the future. So we went out and bought futures.”
Russ said buying natural gas futures can be risky, but the strategy definitely paid off.
Customers can help keep prices down, Russ said, by conserving energy as much as possible in the winter months.
“Keep the demand down,” he said.
Among Alagasco tips for reducing energy costs, customers can keep their thermostats set lower and - if possible - buy some of the newer models of gas powered appliances on the market now.
“Some of the new equipment is more efficient than the older equipment,” he said.
For more information on energy saving tips, go online to www.alagasco.com\
The Selma Times-Journal
The average Selma resident will be paying $28.66 more per month on their gas bill, after rate increases from Alagasco take effect this winter, according to company officials.
Alabama Gas Corporation (Alagasco) said its rates had to increase, citing problems with natural gas supplies as the result of Katrina and Rita.
“Coupled with already short supplies, we had to increase our charge,” Mixon Russ, head of the Selma office of Alagasco, said.
Gas company officials said the supply lines to Alabama have been damaged by the spate of hurricanes sweeping the Gulf Coast recently.
While prices may dip a little in the coming months, as supply lines are repaired, Russ said the increase is here to stay.
“We’re not looking for it to go down appreciably any time in the near future,” he said.
Rates will increase a total of about 37 percent for the entire year including utility taxes, or about $344, Russ said.
The increase is significant, Russ said, but he was pleased that Alagasco was able to keep rates lower than the national increase in energy prices.
“I would like to stress there is a national problem,” Russ said. “We were fortunate this year to have our rates not go as high as (other) natural gas utilities.”
Russ said the company managed to keep prices low because Alagasco bought natural gas futures before the shortage occurred.
“That’s due to some price hedging we’ve done,” he said. “The public service commission gave Alabama Gas the ability to go out and buy gas in the future. So we went out and bought futures.”
Russ said buying natural gas futures can be risky, but the strategy definitely paid off.
Customers can help keep prices down, Russ said, by conserving energy as much as possible in the winter months.
“Keep the demand down,” he said.
Among Alagasco tips for reducing energy costs, customers can keep their thermostats set lower and - if possible - buy some of the newer models of gas powered appliances on the market now.
“Some of the new equipment is more efficient than the older equipment,” he said.
For more information on energy saving tips, go online to www.alagasco.com\
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Shooting suspect wants new bond
By Steven Jones
The Selma Times-Journal
The 17-year-old suspect in a March 15 Miller Funeral Home shooting filed for youthful offender status Monday.
Greg Tolar, the defendant's lawyer in the case, also filed for a reinstatement of his bond and a reduction in the bond.
The suspect in the case had his bond revoked in an earlier hearing, after he was charged in connection with other crimes.
His original bond was $250,000.
Tolar, according to prosecutors, didn't specify the amount he was asking for.
Judge Thomas Jones, Fourth Judicial Circuit Judge, said he would take the case under advisement.
Tolar said he had no comment about the case.
"Not at this time," he said.
The defendant was arrested in March in relation to a shooting outside of Miller Funeral Home on St. Phillips Street.
The defendant was allegedly in a shootout with another youth, a 16-year-old, outside the funeral home, when Carlandra Johnson, a Birmingham resident, walked out of the funeral home and was shot in the left arm.
The 29 year old victim was in town making funeral arrangements for her mother, Dorothy Johnson.
Police said she wasn't a target in the shooting.
"She was just a bystander that was shot," Selma Police Chief Jimmy Martin said shortly after the shooting.
The suspect in the case is being charged with at least one count of first-degree assault in the case.
The 17-year-old was out on bond for the Broad Street shooting when the funeral home shooting occurred, resulting in his bond revocation.
He is being charged as an adult in the Broad Street case, prosecutors said.
Michael Jackson, district attorney, said his office opposes all of the requests from the defense.
"I believe the citizens of Selma and Dallas County feel a lot safer knowing this gunslinger is locked up," he said. "We will continue to be opposed to any kind of bond for this defendant."
The Selma Times-Journal
The 17-year-old suspect in a March 15 Miller Funeral Home shooting filed for youthful offender status Monday.
Greg Tolar, the defendant's lawyer in the case, also filed for a reinstatement of his bond and a reduction in the bond.
The suspect in the case had his bond revoked in an earlier hearing, after he was charged in connection with other crimes.
His original bond was $250,000.
Tolar, according to prosecutors, didn't specify the amount he was asking for.
Judge Thomas Jones, Fourth Judicial Circuit Judge, said he would take the case under advisement.
Tolar said he had no comment about the case.
"Not at this time," he said.
The defendant was arrested in March in relation to a shooting outside of Miller Funeral Home on St. Phillips Street.
The defendant was allegedly in a shootout with another youth, a 16-year-old, outside the funeral home, when Carlandra Johnson, a Birmingham resident, walked out of the funeral home and was shot in the left arm.
The 29 year old victim was in town making funeral arrangements for her mother, Dorothy Johnson.
Police said she wasn't a target in the shooting.
"She was just a bystander that was shot," Selma Police Chief Jimmy Martin said shortly after the shooting.
The suspect in the case is being charged with at least one count of first-degree assault in the case.
The 17-year-old was out on bond for the Broad Street shooting when the funeral home shooting occurred, resulting in his bond revocation.
He is being charged as an adult in the Broad Street case, prosecutors said.
Michael Jackson, district attorney, said his office opposes all of the requests from the defense.
"I believe the citizens of Selma and Dallas County feel a lot safer knowing this gunslinger is locked up," he said. "We will continue to be opposed to any kind of bond for this defendant."
SABRA readies violence program
By Steven Jones
The Selma Times-Journal
Thanks to SABRA Sanctuary Inc., dozens of nurses, teachers, counselors, social workers and survivors will be better armed to fight domestic and sexual violence after their annual Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Symposium.
"The only way were ever going to stop violence against women and children is education," Sabrah Agee, SABRA's educator and event coordinator, said.
Every year SABRA puts together public workers and educators to teach them the signs of domestic violence and child abuse.
The event is open to anyone who wishes to attend.
"We want people who work with the public to understand it so that when they're dealing with a survivor of rape or domestic violence they'll know how to handle it," Agee said.
The symposium, beginning on Oct. 20 and ending on Oct. 21, will feature speakers on topics like "The Reality of Sexual Assault in Alabama" and "What Alabama CACs Do and the Teamwork Needed to Reach Our Collective Goals."
"You have to know something to really defeat it," Agee said.
SABRA is a non-profit battered woman's shelter serving Dallas, Perry and Wilcox Counties.
The event has a $50 registration fee.
For more information on the event, call Agee at 877-4384.
Registration officially ends on Oct. 15.
"We said the 15th," Agee said. "But honey, we'll take them all the way up to the very end."
The Selma Times-Journal
Thanks to SABRA Sanctuary Inc., dozens of nurses, teachers, counselors, social workers and survivors will be better armed to fight domestic and sexual violence after their annual Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Symposium.
"The only way were ever going to stop violence against women and children is education," Sabrah Agee, SABRA's educator and event coordinator, said.
Every year SABRA puts together public workers and educators to teach them the signs of domestic violence and child abuse.
The event is open to anyone who wishes to attend.
"We want people who work with the public to understand it so that when they're dealing with a survivor of rape or domestic violence they'll know how to handle it," Agee said.
The symposium, beginning on Oct. 20 and ending on Oct. 21, will feature speakers on topics like "The Reality of Sexual Assault in Alabama" and "What Alabama CACs Do and the Teamwork Needed to Reach Our Collective Goals."
"You have to know something to really defeat it," Agee said.
SABRA is a non-profit battered woman's shelter serving Dallas, Perry and Wilcox Counties.
The event has a $50 registration fee.
For more information on the event, call Agee at 877-4384.
Registration officially ends on Oct. 15.
"We said the 15th," Agee said. "But honey, we'll take them all the way up to the very end."
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Detectives keep busy in Blevins case
By Steven Jones
The Selma Times-Journal
Investigators are unsure where Eric Dewayne Blevins was last seen when he was reported missing on July 23.
“(We) don’t know exactly the last place he was in,” Dallas County Sheriff’s Det. Burt Allison said. Allison is one of the investigators in the case.
Eric went missing on or around July 23, according to police reports.
Since then, his family has been unsure of his whereabouts and his father, Sheriff’s Department Lt. Dwight Woods, is afraid the Orrville man is dead.
Little is known about what Eric did that Friday and Saturday morning, but investigators say they are still working hard on the case.
Eric was staying with his cousin Dorothy Blevins at her Lamar Avenue home, according to Woods.
Although the 23-year-old’s permanent residence was his mother’s home, Blevins was known to stay with his cousin on the weekends to meet friends and go out.
“He was young,” his aunt, Willa Mitchell of Orrville said. “You know how young men are, they party.”
At some point, officials still aren’t sure about the exact time he left his cousin’s house.
The Times-Journal was unable to contact Dorothy Blevins as of presstime.
Allison said investigators believe he may have visited his cousin John Dale Blevins at the Traveler’s Inn on Highland Avenue after leaving Dorothy Blevins’ home.
Allison said he left there to visit friends at Merrimac Apartments, traveling on foot.
Allison said he was wearing a blue jersey, black pants and brown house shoes.
“Someone saw him in the area of Merrimac,” Allison said. “They saw him headed that way.”
Woods said his son had at least two friends in Merrimac, a “friend-girl” and a friend.
Woods doesn’t know either of them.
“I don’t know these people,” Woods said.
Allison didn’t name either of Eric’s friends or the witness who saw him in Merrimac.
If the witness did see Eric, he may be the last person to see him before he disappeared.
Allison said one of the problems in the investigation is establishing a timeline in Eric’s disappearance.
Because neither John Dale nor Dorothy Blevins are sure about the times they saw Eric, Allison said he isn’t sure which one was the last to have contact with him.
“John Dale Blevins and Dorothy Blevins are going to be the last two that saw him alive,” Wood said. “Well, I won’t say alive because he could still be alive.”
Allison agreed.
“We can assume he may not be alive but then again you could say he’s somewhere and don’t want to be found,” Allison said.
None of his family members, however, believe Eric had any reason to hide out.
“He’s never done it before,” Mitchell said.
She said Eric was well liked by almost everyone who met him.
“He didn’t have anybody that didn’t like him,” she said.
She also said she couldn’t imagine anyone being upset with him.
“Eric wasn’t the kind of person that would do anything to hurt anybody,” she said.
Woods has said it’s getting hard to stay hopeful about the case.
In his 23 years with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department he only knew of a few missing persons cases where victims were missing for more than two months, Woods said in an earlier interview. In all of those cases, Woods said the victim was almost always dead.
Still, he’d like to know.
“If he’s murdered - we pray to God it’s not true but - if we could find his body we could give him a decent burial,” Woods said.
While Allison said his office is waiting for information, he said investigators are working the case aggressively.
“We’re still questioning people,” Allison said. “We’re not just sitting back waiting on tips, we’re going out.”
Allison asks that anyone who has seen the young man call the Secret Witness Line at 874-2190 or they can call Woods at home at 334-996-8787. Eric Dewayne Blevins is a black male, 5’8”, 140 lbs., brown eyes, black hair and a medium complexion. He was wearing a blue jersey, black pants and brown house shoes when he disappeared.
A reward of $6,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest or conviction in the case.
The Selma Times-Journal
Investigators are unsure where Eric Dewayne Blevins was last seen when he was reported missing on July 23.
“(We) don’t know exactly the last place he was in,” Dallas County Sheriff’s Det. Burt Allison said. Allison is one of the investigators in the case.
Eric went missing on or around July 23, according to police reports.
Since then, his family has been unsure of his whereabouts and his father, Sheriff’s Department Lt. Dwight Woods, is afraid the Orrville man is dead.
Little is known about what Eric did that Friday and Saturday morning, but investigators say they are still working hard on the case.
Eric was staying with his cousin Dorothy Blevins at her Lamar Avenue home, according to Woods.
Although the 23-year-old’s permanent residence was his mother’s home, Blevins was known to stay with his cousin on the weekends to meet friends and go out.
“He was young,” his aunt, Willa Mitchell of Orrville said. “You know how young men are, they party.”
At some point, officials still aren’t sure about the exact time he left his cousin’s house.
The Times-Journal was unable to contact Dorothy Blevins as of presstime.
Allison said investigators believe he may have visited his cousin John Dale Blevins at the Traveler’s Inn on Highland Avenue after leaving Dorothy Blevins’ home.
Allison said he left there to visit friends at Merrimac Apartments, traveling on foot.
Allison said he was wearing a blue jersey, black pants and brown house shoes.
“Someone saw him in the area of Merrimac,” Allison said. “They saw him headed that way.”
Woods said his son had at least two friends in Merrimac, a “friend-girl” and a friend.
Woods doesn’t know either of them.
“I don’t know these people,” Woods said.
Allison didn’t name either of Eric’s friends or the witness who saw him in Merrimac.
If the witness did see Eric, he may be the last person to see him before he disappeared.
Allison said one of the problems in the investigation is establishing a timeline in Eric’s disappearance.
Because neither John Dale nor Dorothy Blevins are sure about the times they saw Eric, Allison said he isn’t sure which one was the last to have contact with him.
“John Dale Blevins and Dorothy Blevins are going to be the last two that saw him alive,” Wood said. “Well, I won’t say alive because he could still be alive.”
Allison agreed.
“We can assume he may not be alive but then again you could say he’s somewhere and don’t want to be found,” Allison said.
None of his family members, however, believe Eric had any reason to hide out.
“He’s never done it before,” Mitchell said.
She said Eric was well liked by almost everyone who met him.
“He didn’t have anybody that didn’t like him,” she said.
She also said she couldn’t imagine anyone being upset with him.
“Eric wasn’t the kind of person that would do anything to hurt anybody,” she said.
Woods has said it’s getting hard to stay hopeful about the case.
In his 23 years with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department he only knew of a few missing persons cases where victims were missing for more than two months, Woods said in an earlier interview. In all of those cases, Woods said the victim was almost always dead.
Still, he’d like to know.
“If he’s murdered - we pray to God it’s not true but - if we could find his body we could give him a decent burial,” Woods said.
While Allison said his office is waiting for information, he said investigators are working the case aggressively.
“We’re still questioning people,” Allison said. “We’re not just sitting back waiting on tips, we’re going out.”
Allison asks that anyone who has seen the young man call the Secret Witness Line at 874-2190 or they can call Woods at home at 334-996-8787. Eric Dewayne Blevins is a black male, 5’8”, 140 lbs., brown eyes, black hair and a medium complexion. He was wearing a blue jersey, black pants and brown house shoes when he disappeared.
A reward of $6,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest or conviction in the case.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Reward offered in Blevins case
By STEVEN JONES
The Selma Times-Journal
Gov. Bob Riley has issued a proclamation providing for $5,000 in award money for information leading investigators to Eric Dewayne Blevins.
Combined with an additional $1,000 from Blevins’ father, Lt. Dwight Woods of the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, the total reward is now at $6,000.
Blevins, 23, has been missing since July 23, when his second cousin, Dorothy Blevins, said he left her home.
Woods said he hoped the offer of a reward led to information in his son’s disappearance.
“I’m very appreciative. Hopefully, somebody will talk,” he said. “I hope somebody will come forth and tell us something that’s concrete.”
Riley offered the reward money in response to a request from Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson.
Jackson said Burt Allison, lead investigator in the case, brought it to his attention.
“I know the law enforcement community has been very concerned about this case,” Jackson said. “I want to thank Gov. Riley for responding so quickly to my request for some reward money for this case. Hopefully, Lt. Woods’ son will be found safe.”
Blevins disappeared on July 23, Woods said, and no one in the young man’s family has heard from him since.
Blevins of Sardis was staying with his cousin Dorothy on Lamar Street when he disappeared.
Woods said he didn’t think his son had enemies or a reason to run away.
“I don’t know of anybody that would do him any harm,” Woods said.
Woods is looking for any information on the whereabouts of his son.
He asks that anyone who has seen the young man call the Secret Witness Line at 874-2190 or they can call Woods at home at 334-996-8787. Eric Dewayne Blevins is a black male, 5’8”, 140 lbs., brown eyes, black hair and a medium complexion.
The Selma Times-Journal
Gov. Bob Riley has issued a proclamation providing for $5,000 in award money for information leading investigators to Eric Dewayne Blevins.
Combined with an additional $1,000 from Blevins’ father, Lt. Dwight Woods of the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, the total reward is now at $6,000.
Blevins, 23, has been missing since July 23, when his second cousin, Dorothy Blevins, said he left her home.
Woods said he hoped the offer of a reward led to information in his son’s disappearance.
“I’m very appreciative. Hopefully, somebody will talk,” he said. “I hope somebody will come forth and tell us something that’s concrete.”
Riley offered the reward money in response to a request from Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson.
Jackson said Burt Allison, lead investigator in the case, brought it to his attention.
“I know the law enforcement community has been very concerned about this case,” Jackson said. “I want to thank Gov. Riley for responding so quickly to my request for some reward money for this case. Hopefully, Lt. Woods’ son will be found safe.”
Blevins disappeared on July 23, Woods said, and no one in the young man’s family has heard from him since.
Blevins of Sardis was staying with his cousin Dorothy on Lamar Street when he disappeared.
Woods said he didn’t think his son had enemies or a reason to run away.
“I don’t know of anybody that would do him any harm,” Woods said.
Woods is looking for any information on the whereabouts of his son.
He asks that anyone who has seen the young man call the Secret Witness Line at 874-2190 or they can call Woods at home at 334-996-8787. Eric Dewayne Blevins is a black male, 5’8”, 140 lbs., brown eyes, black hair and a medium complexion.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Crosspoint returns from relief mission
By Steven Jones
The Selma Times-Journal
Delivering much-needed — and in some cases life-saving supplies — made Teresa Edwards and the rest of Crosspoint Christian Church volunteers thankful and humble, Edwards said.
“It just really touched my heart,” she said.
Crosspoint Christian delivered an 18-wheeler of supplies to Spanish Fort where they were separated and delivered to other areas in South Alabama and Mississippi.
“They break bulk and ship it out to the various small communities,” she said. Many of these communities, places like Pineda Island and Bayou La Batre, haven’t gotten help from FEMA and other aid providers,” Edwards said.
Edwards said the United Methodist Church in Spanish Fort put together a distribution center at their youth center, the Gathering Place.
Formerly a retail outlet, the Gathering Place was perfect for the job, Edwards said. The location featured loading docks and lots of space. Supplies were delivered in pallet form to the Gathering Place. Volunteers broke the pallets down and shipped supplies out to other communities and cities.
Edwards said the level of organization was impressive.
“It blows you away of what people can do when they have to,” she said.
Edwards said she and other volunteers got to spend some time helping out in Bayou La Batre and Pineda Island.
Pineda Island was featured in the Times-Journal when Pineda Island resident Don Chamberlain came to the paper to ask for help for his home.
“Everyone just had tears in their eyes thanking the city of Selma,” Edwards said. “It just really touched my heart.”
Edwards said she and the rest of the Crosspoint Church family were thrilled to help out and made sure United Methodist members knew they cared.
The Selma church delivered a sign along with all their supplies, telling Spanish Fort volunteers they were praying for them.
“They needed encouragement,” she said. “To know people were thinking about them and cared.”
The Selma Times-Journal
Delivering much-needed — and in some cases life-saving supplies — made Teresa Edwards and the rest of Crosspoint Christian Church volunteers thankful and humble, Edwards said.
“It just really touched my heart,” she said.
Crosspoint Christian delivered an 18-wheeler of supplies to Spanish Fort where they were separated and delivered to other areas in South Alabama and Mississippi.
“They break bulk and ship it out to the various small communities,” she said. Many of these communities, places like Pineda Island and Bayou La Batre, haven’t gotten help from FEMA and other aid providers,” Edwards said.
Edwards said the United Methodist Church in Spanish Fort put together a distribution center at their youth center, the Gathering Place.
Formerly a retail outlet, the Gathering Place was perfect for the job, Edwards said. The location featured loading docks and lots of space. Supplies were delivered in pallet form to the Gathering Place. Volunteers broke the pallets down and shipped supplies out to other communities and cities.
Edwards said the level of organization was impressive.
“It blows you away of what people can do when they have to,” she said.
Edwards said she and other volunteers got to spend some time helping out in Bayou La Batre and Pineda Island.
Pineda Island was featured in the Times-Journal when Pineda Island resident Don Chamberlain came to the paper to ask for help for his home.
“Everyone just had tears in their eyes thanking the city of Selma,” Edwards said. “It just really touched my heart.”
Edwards said she and the rest of the Crosspoint Church family were thrilled to help out and made sure United Methodist members knew they cared.
The Selma church delivered a sign along with all their supplies, telling Spanish Fort volunteers they were praying for them.
“They needed encouragement,” she said. “To know people were thinking about them and cared.”
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Shooting suspect guilty
By Steven Jones
The Selma Times-Journal
John Jones Jr. pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling and one count of second degree assault in connection with the Broad Street shooting in May 2004.
Jones’ trial was set to begin today, but almost immediately after the jury was struck for the case, Jones opted to take the plea agreement offered by Dallas County prosecutors in the case.
“We were ready to go (to trial),” Dallas County district attorney Michael Jackson said.
The plea agreement had been offered to Jones well before the trial date, Jackson said. He refused it until Tuesday.
“He thought better of it when he was looking at the jury,” Jackson said.
Sentenced to 12 years each for the two counts of discharging a firearm and 10 years for the assault charge, officials said the sentences would run concurrently.
Jones was accused — along with five other Selma men — of shooting into The Selma Times-Journal office building and the Pilcher-McBryde drug store on Broad Street during a May 2004 shootout.
The suspects drove two cars down Broad Street and opened fire on each other between Water Avenue and Alabama Avenue.
During the gunfire, Brandon Lewis, a Selma youth, was shot in the leg. Jones was charged with the assault.
Jones is considered the most culpable shooting in the case, according to Jackson.
“The Jones guy was the main shooter,” Jackson said.
By pleading guilty, Jones accepted three charges. He was also charged with discharging a gun into an occupied vehicle. In addition, Jones was charged with first-degree assault, which was reduced by the plea agreement to second-degree assault. All the crimes Jones pleaded guilty to are felonies.
Prosecutors said they were happy with the outcome of the case.
“The man is a three-time convicted felon (now),” assistant district attorney Mickey Avery said. “The community will be safer because of (this conviction). We feel like that’s a good thing.”
Jones’ attorney, Tommy Treese, said the plea wasn’t exactly what he wanted, but still acceptable.
“We’d have like to have done better but that’s the deal we took,” he said.
Treese said the plea would have gone better for the defense if the crime occurred anywhere but on Broad Street.
“The key to this case was location, location, location,” he said.
The other four suspects - Jerron Stallworth, Julius Ford, Corey Cooper and Justin Johnson - are expected to go to trial in January.
Jackson said other plea agreements may follow since Jones pleaded guilty.
“There’s a good chance that most of them will plead guilty,” Jackson said.
Jackson said the conclusion of the case was exciting.
“We’ve shipped another gunslinger off to prison,” he said. “Broad Street is (again) a place for businesses and people to walk down the sidewalk without having to worry about ducking.”
The Selma Times-Journal
John Jones Jr. pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling and one count of second degree assault in connection with the Broad Street shooting in May 2004.
Jones’ trial was set to begin today, but almost immediately after the jury was struck for the case, Jones opted to take the plea agreement offered by Dallas County prosecutors in the case.
“We were ready to go (to trial),” Dallas County district attorney Michael Jackson said.
The plea agreement had been offered to Jones well before the trial date, Jackson said. He refused it until Tuesday.
“He thought better of it when he was looking at the jury,” Jackson said.
Sentenced to 12 years each for the two counts of discharging a firearm and 10 years for the assault charge, officials said the sentences would run concurrently.
Jones was accused — along with five other Selma men — of shooting into The Selma Times-Journal office building and the Pilcher-McBryde drug store on Broad Street during a May 2004 shootout.
The suspects drove two cars down Broad Street and opened fire on each other between Water Avenue and Alabama Avenue.
During the gunfire, Brandon Lewis, a Selma youth, was shot in the leg. Jones was charged with the assault.
Jones is considered the most culpable shooting in the case, according to Jackson.
“The Jones guy was the main shooter,” Jackson said.
By pleading guilty, Jones accepted three charges. He was also charged with discharging a gun into an occupied vehicle. In addition, Jones was charged with first-degree assault, which was reduced by the plea agreement to second-degree assault. All the crimes Jones pleaded guilty to are felonies.
Prosecutors said they were happy with the outcome of the case.
“The man is a three-time convicted felon (now),” assistant district attorney Mickey Avery said. “The community will be safer because of (this conviction). We feel like that’s a good thing.”
Jones’ attorney, Tommy Treese, said the plea wasn’t exactly what he wanted, but still acceptable.
“We’d have like to have done better but that’s the deal we took,” he said.
Treese said the plea would have gone better for the defense if the crime occurred anywhere but on Broad Street.
“The key to this case was location, location, location,” he said.
The other four suspects - Jerron Stallworth, Julius Ford, Corey Cooper and Justin Johnson - are expected to go to trial in January.
Jackson said other plea agreements may follow since Jones pleaded guilty.
“There’s a good chance that most of them will plead guilty,” Jackson said.
Jackson said the conclusion of the case was exciting.
“We’ve shipped another gunslinger off to prison,” he said. “Broad Street is (again) a place for businesses and people to walk down the sidewalk without having to worry about ducking.”
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