Sentencing for Hershel Dale Graham

The sentencing for Hershel Dale Graham, convicted of Manslaughter in the intentional shooting of David Martin Andrasik (pictured), will be May 17th in Franklin County. One of our readers who attended the trial has sent us this commentary:

David was already in his car halfway seated & WAS leaving when Hershel's son ran out to the street RIPPED his own shirt off, cussed, etc demanding David get back in the yard and they would settle things.. DAVID WAS LEAVING.. If you are so fearful for your life why would you call someone back in the yard & be the aggressor in that manner?? David never touched any of them & that was proven in court by eye witnesses NOT related to the shooter at all. Those EW's gave polar opposite testimonies compared to the shooter's EW statements as to what happened. 

During the time Elijah Graham was antagonizing David back into the yard & the school teacher who drove up to EW all of this was the ONLY one who bothered to call 911 & the other neighbor EW's said that Hershel Graham disappeared out of sight around the house for around a minute or 2. Many believe that is when he went & got the gun..yet HE HAD PLENTY OF TIME THEN to call police but he chose a gun. He then began walking toward David, David walked toward him, no words were exchanged, nothing physical whatsoever from David & when David got about 3 ft from Hershel Graham out of nowhere & no warning Hershel jerked this gun out & fired it into David's chest hitting him in the heart going thru 3 chambers of his heart, fractured his T9 vertebra lodging there causing epidural leakage. 

He claimed he had warned David he had a gun.. the other EW's said NO that did not happen. He also claimed David shoved him really hard & as he was falling back he pulled gun up & fired it THINKING he was firing a warning shot & again the other EW's not related to Hershel said NO that is not what happened. They all said they were stunned, thought in NO WAY it was escalated that far, completely stunned by what they had just seen happen. After he shot David THEY ADMITTED THAT THEY ALL STOOD (4 or 5 people present during all of it) & watched David laying there struggling, grabbing at his wound, even giving accounts that he was gurgling on perhaps blood clearly fighting to breath & NOT ONE offered him any aid whatsoever... before anyone goes judging David they need to know ALL the facts & not just what the other side is claiming. THESE ARE ALL FACTS from court.

Also when the lady who witnessed pulled up and the ONLY ONE who called 911 she saw David laying on the ground & HE WAS THE ONLY ONE SCREAMING for help.. THE ONLY ONE the ENTIRE time screaming for any help. He also went to the neighbors across the street for help.. again he was the ONLY one who went for any assistance/help. He had no weapon on him & he never touched anyone of them other than a possible chest bump ALL ACCORDING TO EW's NOT related to the shooter. The neighbors also admitted to letting David come inside their home, he was not in any way making threats to them, etc.. they said they were NOT afraid of him at all, that he came and told them that the son had just tried to kill him by running over him with a truck & he needed help.. 

They didn't really know what to do but said had they known it was gonna end like this they would have kept him there with them,etc.. all the EW's for the prosecution were just devastated that it went down like this and was totally uncalled for, senseless & not justified. They all said David did NOTHING to deserve that nor did anything for there to be need of a gun.

I also don't think the school teacher had arrived yet when Elijah struck David which he tried to squirm his way out of on the stand. When she pulled up she I believe stated that she saw David laying on the ground.. unsure where exactly but said he was screaming for help & with tears she struggled to say I called 911 because that was the best help I could offer him.. he had NOT been shot at that point.. when the 911 call was played you hear her say that there are 4 men fighting (she cleared it up saying she meant verbal, NOTHING physical) she then described David as being in a black sweat suit barefoot.

She told them a car was in the road & had her blocked.. the Red Bay PD or EMT she was talking too kept her on the phone while she gave address,etc.. and then you hear a POP in the background and she said OMG.. He has just shot him in the chest.. and kept repeating OMG (the actual words) over and over, and toward the end of the conversation she told them David was no longer moving. She was as calm as she could be under the circumstances.. David was shot I would think around 5:37 because cops didn't get there until 93 seconds AFTER David had already been shot, an ambulance was en route but they were unable to give David any aid until the scene was declared safe so I would think David laid there several minutes for them to do that.. precious minutes... especially in the shape he was in.. He basically bled out or to death. They began chest compression's on him when they lost a pulse in the Ambulance and continued CPR until the hospital. He died 20 minutes later if the death cert time is accurate saying 6:30pm.

If you would like to recommend the maximum 20 year sentence for Graham, you may contact Judge Terry Dempsey at:

256-332-8893

Teresa.Seal@Alacourt.gov

*****

Perhaps many have never considered just what the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) does or doesn't do. Here's a description from their own website:

Welcome to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) Division. The ABI functions as the investigative branch of the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) and is one of six divisions of the Department. The ABI provides investigation services in support of other members of the criminal justice system in Alabama. In addition to criminal investigations, the ABI also delivers several other services through the various components of the division such as the Latent Print Unit, and Hazardous Devices Unit (Bomb Squad) to assist our partners in the law enforcement community. The ABI is not a first responder agency and investigations are conducted upon request by a criminal justice agency. Members of the ABI also provide law enforcement services for operations with the other DPS divisions, such as in times of natural disaster and other special details.

In other words, you just can't pick up the phone and accuse someone you don't like of committing  a crime; just doesn't work that way...even for family of former police chiefs, we understand.



Shoalanda

Hershel Graham Murder Trial Set for April 1st

Hershel Dale Graham, the admitted killer of David Martin Andrasik, will face trial on April 1st. We understand there were repeated delays in pre-trial hearings, so this like many recent trials in Franklin County may again be delayed. If convicted, Graham faces 20 years to life in prison.

We understand that Graham, a former professional athlete, now claims health problems would make prison an undue hardship on him. The only undue hardship any intelligent, caring person should consider is the hardship of Carla Andrasik, now raising three young children by herself. We're sure the Hamilton unit for the aged and infirm has a place for Hershel Graham.

Understandably the Andrasik family is eager to see justice done. It's now been 16 months since the unarmed young father was shot in the chest at Graham's Red Bay home. We encourage our readers to join this page:

Justice for David Andrasik

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Four weeks ago, Lesley Hope Plott was brutally murdered by her estranged husband, who then attempted suicide. Like the Andrasik family, the Plott family now faces a long road for justice in Franklin County. They have asked that we feature their Facebook page and request our readers to join the group:

Justice for Lesley Hope Plott

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We would like to say this in the kindest, yet firmest way possible. Young women...old women...or any in between, if he hits you, punches you, kicks you, slaps you, he will not at some point hesitate to kill you. 

You made the choice to marry him. It can't be undone, but you can leave before you or your children die. If you have family, go to them. If there is no one, the number for Safe Place is in our left sidebar. Use it...today.

Shoalanda

What Next for Elijah Graham?/Letter Coming Soon

We blogged yesterday concerning Elijah Tanner Graham's recent Red Bay arrest for possession of a controlled substance--non marijuana and drug paraphernalia. According to Graham's Facebook page, this is not his first arrest, meaning he has already used his one ticket for youthful offender status.

Franklin County does not have drug court per se; in other words, probation for this offense is not a given, but could be considered likely. If you feel that this young man, a man who took part in the assault against David Martin Andrasik last November, should be incarcerated for these drug crimes, we urge you to write:

Hon. Terry Dempsey
Franklin County Courthouse
410 North Jackson Avenue
Russellville, AL 35653
332-8893

and

District Attorney Joey Rushing
Franklin County Courthouse
410 North Jackson Avenue
Russellville, AL 35653
332-8870

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Contacting us: We had some questions yesterday on how to contact us anonymously. While we can assure you we do not divulge sources, we can also understand anyone's desire for anonymity when communicating about one's employer or an elected official.

We suggest using G-Mail in order to set up a quick and anonymous e-mail account. It takes less than five minutes.

We've been promised a copy of the letter sent to over a dozen Alabama agencies concerning a local sheriff. We'll have it scanned and published as soon as possible. We realize there are always two sides to a story and will welcome any rebuttal.



Shoalanda

Tattoos & Violence and Judgment?

Two recent murder cases have provoked discussion on tattoos, and judging from some Facebook postings this is something everyone feels strongly about. Two men involved in local murder cases have proudly shown off new tats on their FB pages; do tattoos correlate with violent behavior? We found an interesting study that says yes, but if you have a tat, don't yell just yet. This is a synopsis of the study:

Results. Participants with tattoos and/or body piercings were more likely to have engaged in risk-taking behaviors and at greater degrees of involvement than those without either. These included disordered eating behavior, gateway drug use, hard drug use, sexual activity, and suicide. Violence was associated with males having tattoos and with females having body piercings. Gateway drug use was associated with younger age of both tattooing and body piercing. Hard drug use was associated with number of body piercings. Suicide was associated with females having tattoos and younger age of both tattooing and body piercing. Tattoos and body piercings were found to be more common in females than males.

The study doesn't contend that those with tattoos are more violent by nature. What it does present is that those guilty of violent acts are more likely to be tattooed than not. We have also been surprised by some comments on our own FB page concerning today's topic. One poster who owns a thriving business stated he would not hire anyone with visible tats since these techs go into people's homes. This surprised us, but we do see the rationale. Would a tech with a tattoo on his arm be unwelcome in our home? No, it wouldn't bother us in the least (We haven't checked with other bloggers in our group). What about piercings and scarifications? No, but since these types of body "art" carry inherent dangers of infection, we do wonder why anyone would choose them.

Pardon the digression and back on the subject of tats, here's some pics of two very young men recently accused of violent acts:

Tuscumbia Youth Arrested for Domestic Violence

Elijah Graham Accused of Complicity in Murder of David Andrasik

In closing, we hope everyone remembers that tattoos are usually pretty permanent. We suggest you think long and hard before getting that ink. If you decide you can't live without one, then check out the artist before you've said yes to that needle. Oh, we do hear it's painful...

*****

The arrest of one of two men accused of murdering David Andrasik has prompted the usual onslaught of "Judge not..." remarks. Are we as Christians, or any discerning individual, not to judge when a crime has taken place? If the answer is no, then there is no need for police or courts. Everyone from Charles Manson to Adolph Hitler is innocent by reason of (fill in the blank). No, we are most certainly to judge in many cases. Here's a quote that sums it up admirably:

F.F. Bruce: "Judgment is an ambiguous word, in Greek as in English: it may mean sitting in judgment on people (or even condemning them), or it may mean exercising a proper discrimination. In the former sense judgment is depreciated; in the latter sense it is recommended.



Shoalanda

Why Wasn't Elijah Graham Indicted?

Hershel Dale Graham

Why wasn’t Elijah Graham indicted for assault against David Martin Andrasik? This is the question many readers have asked. We can offer only theories.

We’ve determined the younger Graham lacked one month being 18 when he committed the assault against David. If he were to be indicted, he would probably receive youthful offender status and his conviction, if any, be sealed. That begs the question should he have been indicted for helping disable David before his father Hershel Graham shot the young Red Bay father dead? We’ll inject here that if Elijah had been the one to pull the trigger he would almost certainly have been tried as an adult. The fact is Elijah, no matter how sinister his intentions, would have been charged with only assault if the situation had gone no further.

The defense would argue Elijah was an abused child—a motherless son who was not supervised by his father...or worse, whose own father abetted the under-age young man in purchasing cigarettes and tattoos. Should the elder Graham be convicted, Elijah will then be a de facto orphan, a fact that doesn’t bode well for his future.

*****

We’ve also been asked why the TimesDaily has published a somewhat one-sided version of the altercation that led to David Andrasik’s death. We rarely defend the journalism on the TD, but its writers can only publish the information they’ve been provided by the Red Bay police or the Franklin County District Attorney’s office. It’s certainly more than likely the writers at our local rag have no idea that David stopped because a dog belonging to the Grahams ran in front of his car.

We have to wonder if Red Bay officials are now enforcing the leash ordinance...or are they once again turning a blind eye?

Shoalanda

Ricky Walter Denton Redefines "Habitual"

Tuscumbia's Ricky Walter Denton has just been sentenced to prison...again. Denton's career stretches back to the mid-1980s, and by the time he was arrested for drug trafficking in 1997, this perennial bad boy had convictions for six prior felonies, including burglary, promoting prison contraband, and leaving the scene of an accident...as well as two major drug convictions. Colbert County District Attorney Gary Alverson initially sought to have Denton tried as a habitual offender for the trafficking operation he conducted both from his home and a locker at the Dungeon Gym.

However, Denton agreed to a plea deal of 15 years, and was a free man again by 2001, when he was again arrested for drug trafficking. By 2004, Denton was 38 years old and wanted for fleeing a forgery charge. Back in prison by 2006, Denton began a long list of suits against government agencies including the Drug Task Force and the Colbert County Sheriff. By 2009, Denton was yet again free and took part in a robbery of a Ford City bank.

It was during the investigation of Denton for that crime that his involvement in a major tax fraud scheme was discovered. His partner in crime, Joann Smith Choat, will serve 12 months in Federal prison while Denton has been sentenced to 70 months. Ricky Walter Denton is still serving his state sentence for armed robbery. How long before he again returns to the free world? No matter how long, it seems as if incarceration has failed to teach this Tuscumbia terror the error of his ways.

*****

The Franklin County grand jury met earlier today. A list of indictments should be forthcoming shortly, and at that time we will know what charges will be brought against the killer(s) of David Martin Andrasik.

One of the accused, Elijah Graham, has been asking for support on Facebook. Fortunately, if he and/or his father are indicted, it will take more than well wishes on a social networking site to spare them punishment for this heinous crime.




Shoalanda
Comments welcome. No profanity, vulgarity, or libelous statements...

Neler Keeton & Hershel D. Graham: Similar Crimes?

David Andrasik & Daughter

Neler Keeton was a 75 year-old resident of Zip City when he fatally shot Anthony Eugene Hunt. Red Bay resident Hershel D. Graham was 49 when he killed David Martin Andrasik. Are there similarities to these killings two counties and five years apart? We think there are.

2006 - Keeton's former son-in-law Tony Hunt, 40, had divorced his wife and quickly remarried. The younger man had custody of his two children, and Keeton was vocal in his unhappiness with what he considered inadequate visitation. A widower, Keeton often visited his grandson and granddaughter at school where he would prepare homemade ice cream for their classes.

2011 - Graham lived with his teenage son and was known for his odd behavior. Neighbors stated he had always had mental problems, but his psychological problems had become worse after a career as a professional athlete. Graham was known to let the family dog run loose despite the leash laws in Red Bay. Many say they were afraid to force the issue with him.

2006 - Thursday, May 26th was the last day of the Lauderdale County school term, and Keeton had brought his 10 year-old grandson home in preparation of taking him to a ball game later that day. Just as Keeton and his grandson were leaving, Hunt arrived and the two adults began to argue. Keeton picked up what has been alternately called a piece of rusty pipe or a length of rebar to defend himself. Hunt took the metal from Keeton and struck him in the forehead, causing a cut that later required stitches. It's been argued whether Hunt's actions were intentional or not, but the younger man was taller than Keeton, and an accidental wound seems far fetched. Others disagree.

2011 - Thursday, November 3rd, Andrasik was driving by the Graham home when the family dog ran in front of his car. He exited his vehicle and approached Graham's son about the continuing problems with the pet running loose. The younger Graham called his father, who then joined in the argument.

2006 - Keeton managed to get away from Hunt, running inside his house. Instead of calling 911 to report the attack, Neler Keeton returned to his front yard where he shot Anthony Hunt three times with a shotgun. Hunt died at the scene.

2011 - At some point, the younger Graham ran over Andrasik's foot. The elder Graham then shot the unarmed David Andrasik point blank in the heart, before walking back into the house to call authorities. Andrasik, 42, was pronounced dead minutes later at Red Bay Hospital.

2007 - A Lauderdale County Jury finds Neler Keeton guilty of manslaughter; Judge Mike Jones sentences him to 20 years in prison.

2012 - A Franklin County grand jury will hear the case against the Grahams this month. What will they find? We sincerely hope justice is served.

Justice for David Martin Andrasik

Shoalanda

Comments welcome. No profanity. No vulgarity. No libelous statements. Get it? Got it! Good...

Ash Lette: Turned in Ronald Weems for Murder of Amanda Taylor

Ash Lette, aka Ashley Greenhill, lived with Ronald Weems and his mother in their Muscle Shoals home on Moss Avenue. According to sources with the Muscle Shoals Police Department, the Brooks High graduate provided the tip that led searchers to the area off Gnat Pond Road where the body of Amanda Leeth Taylor lay partially hidden.


Greenhill, a hair dresser, has yet to be charged in the crime, but authorities are not ruling out more arrests. Other sources outside the police department have stated Ashley Greenhill, sometime girlfriend of Ron Weems, is the link between Weems and Matthew Fox who has also been arrested in the heinous killing.

*****

We will have more on both Matthew Fox and Laurel Pruett later in the week, but the owners of Arx Mortis have asked us to relay that Fox was not working at the Killen Halloween attraction on the night of October 17th. The day of Amanda's murder fell on Monday, a day the popular attraction was closed.

However, it would seem Fox has another alibi that may be even stronger. Was he lured to the crime scene by Ash Lette? A reliable witness has said that he was.

*****

From Carla Andrasik, widow of David Andrasik:

God's amazing us as always :) a friend/graduating classmate of David's from his school in Florida came today to place decorations on his grave and she works for a Books-A-Million, they sent two HUGE bagfulls of toys, gifts for David's children. The look on our children's faces was priceless. What a precious outpour of love! Wanted to share this great goodness of God working thru others...

The case against two men accused of killing David will go before the January Franklin County grand jury. Pray that justice will be served.



Shoalanda

Does "Castle Doctrine" Apply to David Andrasik Killing?

David Andrasik & Daughter

Are you familiar with Alabama's "Castle Doctrine?" Unless you're one of our legal eagle friends, you may not have heard of this law that officially went into effect in April 2006. According to a news source at the time:

The “Castle Doctrine” bill removes the “duty to retreat” if an individual is attacked in his or her home, vehicle, place of business or any other place he or she has a legal right to be. This legislation also states that victims may use necessary force to defend themselves against the attacker.

Does this law apply to the killing of David Martin Andrasik, a 42 year-old father of three? Andrasik was shot in the Red Bay yard of Hershel D. Graham in early November. How was Graham, supposedly in his home and able to call police, attacked by Andrasik while David spoke with Graham's son Elijah outside? Why would a gun be considered necessary force since Andrasik was unarmed and outnumbered on the Graham property?

These are questions that will be presented to a Franklin County grand jury next month. Others have questioned how Hershel Graham, commonly known to have mental problems, was legally able to own a handgun. We have no answer to that, but not all mental illnesses result in commitments, and not all commitments are public record. Those who demand less restrictive gun laws need to address these issues.

Justice for David Martin Andrasik

*****

Joe Rhoden, in a letter to the TimesDaily, has questioned the existence of a contract requiring RegionalCare to build the new hospital in Lauderdale County. He suggests the contract should be made public. While we have not seen the contract, it would be logical to assume a copy of the contract is on file with both the Florence City Council and the Lauderdale County Commission. We feel sure either entity would be happy to produce the contract for him personally. Not everything is a conspiracy, Mr. Rhoden.

*****

According to Amanda Leeth Taylor's father Billy Leeth, he, his son, and one daughter have been asked to provide DNA samples for testing against remains that were found this weekend on Gnat Pond Road in Leighton.

Amanda has been missing for six weeks, with little publicity to help with the search. Amanda's family is hoping the results of the testing will rule out Amanda, but they will still be no closer to finding the 32 year old.

For further updates you may visit:

Our Daugher Amanda Taylor is Missing

Shoalanda

UNA Immigration March/Justice for David Andrasik

Amanda Hernandez

No matter where our feelings may lie concerning the illegal immigration issue, the program following the scheduled Thursday march should be informative. We hope all who have time will also have the inclination to attend.

On December 1, 2011, the University of North Alabama’s Hispanic Culture Organization will be holding the March Toward Understanding. The goal of the event is to educate people on what the immigration bill is doing to not only the individuals targeted, but the community as well.

The event was created in opposition to the recent passing of Alabama’s immigration laws. Amanda Hernandez says the mission of the march is to “educate and inform people on the immigration laws and how the laws will negatively impact the community.” Hank Sherrod from the Alabama chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) will be in attendance of the march. Speakers from the DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act, Alabama Dreamer’s Organization and the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice will be attending as well.

Both those in opposition of and support of the bill are encouraged to attend since the overall goal of the march is to inform the community on both sides of the immigration law. The group has obtained a permit for the event on December 1. Originally, the march was to begin at McFarland Park but that has since been changed and will begin at Wilson Park instead. The march will still be concluding on UNA’s campus as the participants walk from Wilson Park to the amphitheater on campus.

*****

If you haven't previously, be sure to read the new comments concerning David Andrasik's death. They are located at the bottom of the November 27th blog. While David's murder is scheduled to be on the January Franklin County grand jury docket, there has been no firm date set as yet. We encourage you to join this site:

Justice for David Martin Andrasik

Shoalanda

One More Fatherless Home: Update on David Andrasik

David Andrasik & Infant Daughter

We recently came upon the following statistics for our great state; they should be of interest to everyone:

Children from one Parent homes account for:

1. 85% to 90% of contested Alabama Child custody cases physical custody of the Child goes to one Parent, typically the Mother. (Bureau of the U.S. Census; Taken in to Custody, at page 35, by Stephen Baskerville, PhD., March 2007.
2. 63% of youth suicides. (Source: U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, Bureau of the Census).
3. 71% of pregnant teenagers. (Source: US Dept. of Health & Human Services).
4. 90% of all homeless and runaway Children. (Source: US Dept. of Health & Human Services).
5. 85% of all Children that exhibit behavioral disorders. (Source: Center for Disease Control).
6. 80% of rapists motivated with displaced anger. (Source: Criminal Justice & Behavior, Vol. 14, p. 403-26).
7. 71% of all high school dropouts. (Source: National Principals Association Report on the State of High Schools).
8. 75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers. (Source: Rainbows for all God`s Children).
9. 85% of all youths sitting in prisons. (Source: Fulton Co. Georgia jail populations, Texas Dept. of Corrections).

2010 ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES (DHR) FACTS

The following information is located on the website of the Alabama Department of Human Resources.[1]

1. Alabama currently has the 4th highest divorce rate in the country.
2. Only about 50 percent of our Children will spend their entire Childhood in an intact family.
3. In 2000, 29 percent of Alabama’s families with minor Children were headed by a single Parent compared to the national average of 27 percent.
4. Divorce and non-marital childbearing have become commonplace and have dramatically altered Children’s lives.
5. Nationally, 40 percent of Children whose fathers live outside the home have no contact with them. (Does not include data regarding number of Fathers alienated by the Mother.)
6. The other 60 percent had contact an average of 69 days during the year. (This figure supports current Alabama legal practice for standardized visitation orders issued by Alabama judges for less than 80 days per year.)
7. Children from father-absent homes are five times more likely to live in poverty, three times more likely to fail in school, two to three times more likely to develop emotional and behavioral problems, and three times more likely to commit suicide.
8. The chief predictor of crime in a neighborhood is the percentage of homes without fathers.
9. Up to 70 percent of adolescents charged with murder are from fatherless homes. (Source: U.S. Dept. of Justice).
10. Up to 70 percent of long-term prison inmates grew up in fatherless homes. (Source: U.S. Dept. of Justice).

[1] http://dhr.alabama.gov/page.asp?pageid=408.

*****

This brings us to David Martin Andrasik, the 42 year-old Red Bay man shot to death in early November. We previously blogged that Mr. Andrasik was stepfather to two children as well as the father of an infant daughter not two weeks old. We've received word that David and Carla's middle child, also a daughter, was his biological child as well.

We will publish information on the next Franklin County grand jury as soon as it's available. In the mean time Hershel D. Graham remains free--yes, this man with known mental problems is ostensibly enjoying life while David's family undoubtedly suffered through the holiday weekend. Let's hope Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing can hit this one out of the ballpark.

Related post: David Andrasik



Shoalanda

Veterans Day 2011

On this Veterans Day, the 93rd anniversary of the Armistice, we salute all veterans who walk among us each day, largely unnoticed. Thank you for your gift of service to our country. There will always be the few who don't appreciate you, but rest assured most do--we just fail to say it often enough.

This is the first Veterans Day since the inception of our blog that we have not been able to salute Frank Buckles, our second favorite Doughboy who died earlier this year at the age of 110. If you encounter a World War II veteran today, please tell him or her how much their service means to you personally.

*****

Sources in the Red Bay Police Department have identified the shooter in the David Andrasik death as Hershel D. Graham, 49, 806 10th Street NE. Graham, a one-time professional athlete, is described as having a long standing mental condition; however, sources say he has had no previous serious legal problems in Franklin County. His role in Andrasik's death will be presented to an upcoming grand jury session.

*****

Shoalanda

Death in Red Bay: David Andrasik

David Martin Andrasik

It was 5:30 p.m. last Thursday when a dog crossed the path of David Andrasik of Red Bay. The small western Colbert County town has a leash law, and Andrasik was ostensibly upset that the dog's owners were not keeping their pet confined and out of harm's way. Stopping his car, Andrasik confronted the 17 year-old boy whom he believed to be the owner of the dog. The boy's father stated Andrasik appeared agitated and he entered the verbal altercation in support of his son.

The father also stated he asked Andrasik to leave; however, at no point did either the father or son retreat to the house to call for police. After the argument migrated into the back yard of the dog owner's property, the father stated he felt threatened and shot the 42 year-old Andrasik, a 1987 Gulf High School graduate originally from Port Richey, Florida.

Hind sight is always perfect. We may ask why Andrasik didn't simply report the misdemeanor to the appropriate party the next morning. We may never know why he decided to chastise the dog's owners for their lapse. We may never know why one of the dog's owners took matters into his own hands instead of calling for police. We do know that David Andrasik was pronounced dead at approximately 6:00 p.m. A spokesperson for Red Bay Hospital said Andrasik died from a single gunshot to the chest. His death will be presented to a Franklin County grand jury to determine if the shooter will be tried for felony murder or some lesser crime. The Red Bay Police have not yet announced the name of the shooter, but we will publish it as soon as it's made available.

Each case is different, and certainly each county prosecutor has his or her own personal litmus tests to apply to such crimes. Still, there is a great similarity to the shooting of Anthony Hunt in 2006. Hunt entered his former father-in-law's property in Lauderdale County where he attacked Neler Keeton. The elderly Keeton then shot Hunt three times, causing the younger man's death. Keeton is now serving a prison sentence for his unfortunate over-reaction to Hunt's attack.

Besides being employed in production at Sunshine Mills in Red Bay, David Andrasik had a keen interest in martial arts. According to Florida corporation records, the shooting victim owned a half interest in a martial arts enterprise, Pasco Himitsu Dojo, in New Port Richey. Andrasik was also step-father to two children, as well as having a new infant who turned two weeks-old on November 5th. Our contacts at Sunshine Mills have told us David was well liked by everyone and the entire plant has been in shock over his violent death.

We wish to offer our sincerest sympathies to David's widow Carla, his family, and his friends who have vowed to fight for the truth. Rest assured we will follow this case as it is presented to the Franklin County grand jury.



Shoalanda

Bad Choices, Bad Pennies, Bad Boys

David & Carla Andrasik

David Martin Andrasik was 42 when he died last week, shot by the father of a 17 year-old boy with whom he was arguing. Andrasik, of Red Bay, leaves a wife and a two week old child behind; his killer is apt to be charged with manslaughter. What were these men thinking?

*****

A Tishomingo County grand jury has failed to indict Timothy Carl Yeager on charges of the sexual abuse of a junior high student; however, the Iuka school system has terminated the former Brooks coach. Yeager is now working in his family's stained glass business.

Due to the statute of limitations, the Tishomingo County district attorney has only six months in which to gather additional evidence against the 57 year-old Killen resident. If any readers have had or know of similar encounters with Yeager, please contact us, and we will forward the information to the appropriate authorities.

*****

Yes, it's a bad penny. In modern idiom, a bad penny is: A person or thing which is unpleasant, disreputable, or otherwise unwanted, especially one which repeatedly appears at inopportune times.

It seems just when one thinks justice has finally been done, this former coach shows up again. We'll have more on the Shoals' version of a bad penny as it becomes available.



Shoalanda