Civil Rights Infringement in Johnson Trial

The perjury trial of Shannon Johnson began this morning. We've been informed that while members of Keith Barnett's family were allowed in the courtroom, the father of Johnson, a man in his 70s, was not allowed to enter.

While we have the greatest sympathy for the Barnett family, there is no need to abuse an older man in some misguided effort at revenge. We feel sure the deputies assigned to the court room could have handled Mr. Johnson if he had decided to show off any of his ninja moves.

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Body? What body? Apparently the only body found in Colbert County on Saturday night/Sunday morning was in Leighton, and the deceased had passed away from natural causes. We're guessing someone had simply partied a little too much, and the rumor mill went into overdrive.

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Thanks to L. Stone for this idea. From the "Lone Harranger" (Feel free to share):

Shoalanda

Federal Conviction for Shawn Johnson/Lustron Home In Tuscumbia

For those who may have missed the December 15th article in the TimesDaily, Alfred Shawn Johnson has been found guilty of Federal drug charges and sentenced to 46 months in prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.

While the TD failed to point this out, Johnson is currently under indictment for the murder of Keith Barnett in Lauderdale County. Assuming Johnson is convicted in this death, how will his sentences be served? It has been our experience that state charges are usually served first; however, we don't know how long Johnson's murder trial may be delayed for various legal reasons. D.K. is working on this, and we will have an update when it's available.

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Pictured above is a Lustron Westchester home located just off Woodmont Drive in Tuscumbia. Doesn't look like much, does it? Fortunately, the sharp eye of Tuscumbia historian Mary Carton recognized the home for what it once was. These homes were manufactured between 1948 and 1950; production ceased when the company could no longer keep up with demand and declared bankruptcy. Approximately 20K orders were placed for these homes, but only about 2,680 ever made it to customers.


Several Lustrons were constructed locally. Pictured above is one in Sheffield. The abandoned Tuscumbia Lustron had not even made it to the home's national registry until Mary recently added it. Just being on the the registry will not assure its preservation, but it's a start. Lustron homes have a place in the Museum of Modern Art. We hope this one can have a renewed place of honor in the Shoals.






Shoalanda

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