Amanda Watkins to do Mandatory 10 Years

2009 School Photo

Colbert County Judge Jackie Hatcher yesterday sentenced Amanda Duboise Watkins to two mandatory five year terms to be served consecutively. If Watkins should experience any trouble in prison, she will be forced to serve the entire 20 years--not a pleasant thought.

This sentence doesn't bode well for Kimberly Bynum of Franklin County and Dana Allen of Lauderdale. These two women face similar charges and ostensibly similar sentences should they be convicted.

At Trial 2011

Related post: Delmer & Amanda Duboise Do Their Students

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Bailey's Bailiwick: Just Say No to Teacher Sex

When I was a small child we had a neighbor, Mrs. Dollie Smith (I've changed her last name). Miss Dollie as most people called her was a widow with several grown children. Miss Dollie always had a neat yard and was known for serving the Lord.

At some some point when I was in school at Richards Elementary, Miss Dollie's daughter and son-in-law had to leave for military duty or some similar reason. Their two children came to live with her. These girls were older than I, but sometimes my mother would drop them off at Coffee High before taking me on to Richards. They were both very nice and polite. One of them even once chided me for sassing my mother.

Some months ago, a friend asked me if I knew who Carter Watkins was. I replied that he was Amanda Duboise Watkins' husband. My friend said yes, but he was also the son of one of Miss Dollie's granddaughters, the girls I had known briefly in childhood. I admit I hadn't thought about them in years, and Miss Dollie has been gone quite some time. Still, I thought a great deal about Carter and his plight after that.

My friend thought that Carter had taken his wife back. I don't know if that is true, and whatever decision he made was his alone and he obviously knows more about the situation than we do. If it's true, it's doubly sad that now his wife Amanda will be gone for ten years. When she returns her daughter will be almost grown.

If Amanda is mentally ill, she should have been allowed to get help. If she isn't mentally ill, I want to ask her, "Was it worth it, Amanda?"



Shoalanda

Mignon Willis Exhonerated/Dana Allen Update

Former Cherokee Mayor Mignon Willis has now overturned a civil judgment against her in Mississippi. In 2010, Rehab Solutions of Tupelo, Mississippi, a company owned and operated by Willis' extended family, secured a judgment against the accountant. Willis contented she was not guilty of any malfeasance, and the Supreme Court of Mississippi has upheld her position.

Willis currently serves as chairman of Cherokee's Water Board. Her supporters are encouraging her to run against long time mayor Chuck Lansdell. Willis previously served one term as mayor and has been a constant thorn in the political side of Chuckles Duckles, as one of his online alter-egos dubs him. Stay tuned.

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There’s little worse than witnessing the fall of a person who held public trust. We will assume that’s the reason many have e-mailed us concerning the professional status of Dana Myhan Allen, an employee of Florence OB/Gyn who has been charged with Second Degree Rape.

Was she in fact a nurse? This question seems to be the basis of much concern among our readers. Here’s what a health care administrator has to say:

The state database does not list this Dana Allen as a licensed nurse. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a nursing degree. Remember anyone can wear scrubs and usually do if they work in a doctor’s office. Mrs. Allen could be licensed in another state, but her employer could not allow her to work as a nurse unless licensed in the State of Alabama. If Mrs. Allen has claimed to be a licensed nurse she could be subject to another felony charge.

Shoalanda

Hershel Dale Graham Indicted for Felony Murder

Alleged Driver with Russian Assault Rifle

One of two participants in the November 2011 shooting of David Martin Andrasik has been indicted by the January Franklin County grand jury. Hershel Dale Graham of Red Bay was arrested Wednesday and taken to the Franklin County Jail, charged with Felony murder. Graham's son Elijah, a 2011 graduate of Red Bay High School, has alternately been listed as 17 to 19 years of age. Witnesses say the younger Graham ran over Andrasik's foot before the elder Graham shot the victim in the heart.

Sources say bail was set at 100K, and Graham bonded out earlier today with instructions to stay away from the Andrasik family. If convicted, Hershel Graham will face 20 years to life in prison. We hope this is the beginning of some closure for David's wife Carla and his three young children. We encourage all our readers to join the Facebook page:

Justice for David Andrasik

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Update on Wilson High School volunteer coach charged with Second Degree Rape: Several sources have stated that Dana Myhan Allen will plead not guilty by reason of mental defect. Just as former Sheffield Junior High teacher Amanda Duboise Watkins claimed an earlier rape clouded her judgment, Allen will allege the advances of an older teacher/mentor while she was a student at Wilson left her with the inability to comprehend the enormity of her actions. If convicted, Allen faces two to 20 years in prison.

Shoalanda

Female Predators: A Pretrial & An Arrest

Kimberly Bynum

Pretrial for Kimberly Bynum, the teacher who formerly taught at Vina High School, has been set for March 21st. Bynum was arrested in June of last year for an admitted sexual relationship with a student. Under Alabama law, students who have reached the age of consent are still prohibited from sexual relationships with teachers until they reach 19. If convicted of the Class B Felony, Bynum could face a sentence of 20 years.

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Dana LaShanna Myhan Allen, according to WHNT Channel 19, is a wife and mother. According to her Facebook page, she's an employee of Florence OB/Gyn Clinic in West Florence. According to Lauderdale County detectives, she's a second degree rapist who preyed on underage boys at her alma mater Wilson High School.

The daughter of Danny and Connie Myhan, the 38 year-old Allen has been married for 18 years to Russell O'Neal Allen. For several years, Allen has been a volunteer basketball coach at Wilson where all of her alleged victims were students. According to detective Travis Clemmons, the investigation has linked Allen to several students, but only one under the age of consent. Like Bynum, Dana Allen faces a felony charge that could result in a sentence of 20 years. 

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A Political Forum for Candidates Seeking the Office of

LAUDERDALE COUNTY

SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

at Rogers High School, Greenhill

6:00 PM in the Cafeteria

This event is sponsored by the Lauderdale County Education Association.

The public is invited to attend.

Shoalanda