Lies in Moulton?/Dead in 16 Years?

Lawrence County District Attorney Errek Jett says he never got a copy of a suspect's statement in the Bailey and Betty Nichols murder investigation. County investigator Tim McWhorter says he sent it to Jett. Is one of them lying?

It's possible the statement was mislaid by an office worker. We've read statistics that even in the best run offices, at least 2% of all documents are misfiled/mishandled. No matter the truth, the public deserves some answers...especially if there should be a re-trial for Sheffield businessman Charles Moore.

We'll add that while this alleged misconduct occurred in a case where there was overwhelming evidence of the defendant's guilt, what if such a ploy had been used to convict an innocent individual?

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D.K. reports that the Nichols' grandson from Montgomery was able to attend Moore's sentencing. The young man spoke at the hearing and forgave Charles Moore for the murder. We call that a remarkable human being.

It seems the closeness of the Nichols family was the main factor in the early arrest of Moore. Not just one, but at least three of the Nichols family knew the couple would be meeting with Moore the morning of the murders.

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The sanctioned Lawrence County District Attorney's office stated they felt Charles Moore would die in prison before being executed if he should have been given a death sentence. That's a very telling statement.

The average length of appeals in death sentence cases is just under 16 years. Therefore we assume these officers of the court believe Moore will die before reaching the age of 81. We have no idea what condition Moore's health is in, but somehow the prosecutors' statements don't make us feel too good about the condition of health care in Alabama prisons. (No, we don't particularly care about Moore; we do care for those convicted of non-violent crimes.)



Shoalanda

Special Report: Life Without for Moore

From D.K.: The D.A. after speaking with the Nichol's Family took the Death Penalty (for Sheffield businessman Charles Moore) off the table (in favor of) life without, so Jurors were excused. If the victims' family can get here from out of town,  the sentencing would be today, if not today another date will be set. Some Nichols daughters live in Texas, Montgomery, and Decatur. Also grandchildren (may) want to be at the sentencing.

We'll have more on this development later.

Staff at Shoalanda

Big Fail for Lawrence County DA/VOCAL Vigil

D.A. Errek P. Jett

From all reports, the case against Charles Moore is a slam dunk. The same reports have stated the prosecution has made every effort to ensure any appeals will be limited if/when Moore should be convicted of the murders of Bailey and Betty Nichols.

Yet today a judge in the case sanctioned D.A. Errek P. Jett for failing to provide the defense team with information relating to a second suspect in the double murder. The defense at worst would have used the second suspect as a red herring; the evidence against Sheffield businessman Moore is so overwhelming that only a miracle could prevent a conviction.

While an appeal is automatic in a Capital Murder case, the prosecution has now given Moore's attorneys grounds for an appeals court ordered second trial. Lawrence County taxpayers should be upset...very upset.

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From D.K.:

On Friday night, the local VOCAL chapter, in partnership with Safeplace and Rape Response, will host a Celebration of Life, which will kickoff the National Crime Victims Rights Week, April 21-27. The event will be Friday beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the gym at First United Methodist Church on Tuscaloosa Street in Florence. At 7:30 p.m. the event will shift across the street to Wilson Park for a balloon release and candlelight vigil.

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Equivocal words? Several sources have been criticized for not calling ricin, a deadly poison in gas form or if otherwise inhaled, by its name. In other words, the material sent to several federal officials was nothing short of ricin and should be identified as such.

So...down with equivocal words in the news. How about "undocumented immigrant" goes next?



Shoalanda

Charles Moore Trial--Long Time Coming

The Charles Moore trial is the third local murder trial this month. Unlike the Leeth and Andrasik families who waited 17 months for some semblance of justice in the murders of their respective daughter and husband, the family of Bailey and Betty Nichols has been waiting over three years. The trial is also different since Moore is charged in a capital case, as well as the fact a defense attorney left the case, causing an extended delay.

D.K. has been present in the newly remodeled Lawrence County courtroom where the trial will now be entering its second week. Jury selection required three days in itself. It has been one of the most tedious trials in the area in years. The prosecution has stated there will absolutely no minor errors that could lead to any reversals on appeal. If convicted of Capital Murder, Moore will be entitled to an automatic appeal.

The trial was also interrupted abruptly on Thursday afternoon when the judge dismissed early due to possible bad weather. The prosecution now plans to call witnesses through Tuesday, probably into Wednesday. This promises to be the longest murder trial in recent history for Lawrence County.

According to D.K., the Nichols family has wide support, and the courtroom has been packed each day. Our sympathies to the family in the loss of parents who only contributed to the community in a positive manner.

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Rumors are rife in Franklin County that members of the Hershel Graham family plan some sort of protest, perhaps violent in nature, during the May sentencing of Hershel for the shooting of David Andrasik. This from a family that had supporters from those who saw the murder as simply self-defense. Franklin County law enforcement is prepared to quickly quash any violent outbursts from the Grahams. David's family is hoping for a sentence of 20 years.

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Speaking of rumors, there's talk of a lawsuit against two or three local bloggers who have accused several individuals of sexual impropriety and criminal acts, among other things. We've heard this talk before, and have even been asked to participate; however, it seems now someone has actually put up the money for the suit. We look forward to whatever justice such a suit will bring.

Shoalanda

Trials & Revelations

 Ron Wikkid & ChubbyLette

For some time we have heard a stolen check precipitated the argument between Ronald Weems and his victim Amanda Taylor. We had been told the amount and that it was intended as some sort of support for Pandora Pruett, daughter of Laurel Pruett and Weems.

Since the amount of the check was always said to be over 10K, we found it hard to believe, but our sources seem to have been correct. We still do not know which state agency initiated this check or for what purpose. What we do now know is that Ron Wikkid Weems stole from his own child. The theft was not even a spur of the moment type crime but one that was carefully planned and executed.

We also know Weems was attempting to wrest custody from Pruett, as evidenced by e-mails between him and a legal group. Somehow Ron Weems' idea of love for a child isn't ours.

Will his defense play? Not to anyone with an IQ over 12. So much for Ron's new persona after his baptism.

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D. K. is attending the Charles Moore Capital Murder trial in Moulton where jury selection continued today. We'll be having reports from him throughout the trial.

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According to Lauderdale District Attorney Chris Connolly, the Brewer family was not shot before their deaths in a house fire last month. We have not been able to contact our source in the sheriff's department, but are happy to make this correction. We sincerely hope the deputy is correct in his belief that arrests are on the horizon.



Shoalanda

April Should Be Designated Murder Month

We can't recall a time when more murder cases have been on the docket than this April. In Franklin County, the Felony Murder trial of Hershel Dale Graham continues with closing arguments scheduled on Monday. As with the case of Joel Moyers in Limestone County, public opinion is hotly divided on Graham's innocence or guilt.

No one can predict what a jury will do, but according to those present at the Graham trial, District Attorney Joey Rushing has presented an excellent case against the rotund retired wrestler who claims to have felt so threatened by an unarmed man.

The Capital Murder trial of Charles Moore will get under way in Lawrence County on Monday. Moore is accused of murdering Bailey and Betty Nichols to whom he owned money.

What may be considered the Shoals trial of the 21st century in Colbert County will also get under way next week. Ronald Weems faces a Felony Murder charge in the death and dismemberment of his former sister-in-law Amanda Taylor. Jury selection will begin on Monday April 8th.

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A few have maintained the right to kill an unarmed person who is impaired and behaving in what could be considered a threatening manner. While we don't believe David Andrasik behaved in a threatening manner, at least according to reliable witnesses not a part of the Graham clan, it's an interesting point.

If that should become a legal precedent, expect to see many more shootings at auto accidents. Just a thought...



Shoalanda

Charles Moore/A Preview

Tuscumbia resident Charles Moore was the owner of J&M Cycles on Cox Boulevard in Sheffield. At the time of his arrest in December 2009, he had approximately forty dollars in his business  account. Moore was so far behind on his rent that the building's owners had threatened him with eviction.

Promising to bring his account up to date, Moore allegedly visited owners Bailey and Betty Nichols at their Hatton home where he murdered the couple. While robbery wasn't a primary motive, some documents pertaining to Moore's lease were later found in his possession. The now 64 year-old Sheffield businessman has denied any involvement in the murders and is currently being held without bond in Lawrence County on two counts of Capital Murder.

From D.K.:

A Pre-trial in Lawrence County - The Capital Murder Case of  Betty and Bailey Nichols who were murdered over 2 years 8 months ago at their Highway 157 home in the Hatton area was set for Sept. 10. A Defense Attorney asked to be excused because of some type of witness in the case. The judge had no choice but to appoint another Defense Attorney since Capital Murder cases have to have two Attorneys.  Charles Moore from Colbert is the defendant in this case. As I understand it at the time of the pre-trial hearing, Mr. Moore had been caught with contraband after his cell had been  searched. So now a very disappointing delay in the Justice System for the Nichols family. Please keep these wonderful people in your thoughts and prayers.

"Justice For All--Even The Victims"

We'll have some other extremely interesting reports from D.K. later in the week.

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Besides D.K.'s upcoming stories on crime and crime reporting in the Shoals, we have Bubba lined up to report on "Drinkin' & Drivin' in Shurfield" and a most intriguing tale of a mysterious attack on a family dog...or was it mysterious at all?

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Shoalanda

Charles Moore's Last Assignment

Once again, Whippoorwill Hollow Films brings us an extraordinary view of the Shoals. The video is so moving, so dramatic, that it's easy to forget it was produced here, in a small Sheffield studio. Obviously, in Steve and Sheri Wiggins' competent hands, small studio doesn't mean small film.

We'll insert a random thought concerning this video on Charles Moore; alongside the hooded Klansmen stand paramilitary--men dressed as if ready for combat. Yet our real soldiers are serving halfway around the world, perhaps giving their very lives for our freedom. One has to wonder how these strange throwbacks to a darker time in our history have the audacity to wear such garb. Perhaps it's enough to be thankful their kind grows fewer with each passing year.




Tomorrow: Another look at Brad Holmes

Shoalanda