The Return of Ron Wikkid

Ronald Eugene Weems, aka Ron Wikkid, was in the Shoals today. Wonder if he enjoyed the 50 mile trip from the prison in Capshaw where he'll be spending the rest of his life--we hope? It seems Mr. Wikkid had two issues with his conviction.

One of his complaints was ineffectual counsel. Well, Ron, it is pretty hard to get anyone off when there's not only your run of the mill murder but dismemberment as well. So your attorney John McKelvey knows someone who's a big supporter of your victim's family. Imagine that. Did you think you had more supporters than the grieving family of your victim? Hmmm. How does your head get through that cell door?

Now we will have more appeals, but at least the Wikkid One won't have to come back to the Shoals for any more proceedings.

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During Ronald Weems' murder trial, his sometime girlfriend Ashley Greenhill testified that she called in her friend Matthew Fox to help dispose of Amanda Taylor's body. She related that Fox had a reputation for that sort of thing. We asked at the time just how does one acquire such a reputation?

Sometime after we published that blog, it hit us that Fox often played the part of a grave digger in a local Halloween enterprise. Talk about life imitating art...

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Signs of the times? Who knows of some local Neon signs still in use? Or at least still hanging in their original location? Leave a comment or message on Facebook if you think you know of such a sign that may not be that well-known.



Shoalanda

Shoals Trial of the 21st Century

This week Ron Wikkid Weems goes on trial for the Felony Murder of his former sister-in-law Amanda Taylor. We found it interesting that Weems' defense attorney has stated he doesn't plan to call that many witnesses. He may feel the verdict is a foregone conclusion, but we have to wonder why Weems didn't plead guilty, as did his three partners in crime. In all probability, no deal was offered Weems, and the Juggalo will find the trial an interesting diversion before he heads South.

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Several inquired about the longest period of incarceration Fox, Greenhill, and Pruett could face. As we stated yesterday, 40 months should see an EOS for the trio. That would give Fox and Pruett a release date of around April 2015--two years from now. That's assuming they receive the maximum of 10 years. It would be hard to imagine Judge Jackie Hatcher giving Ashley Greenhill any less than the max. As for Matthew Fox and Laurel Pruett, it would be possible, but we're pretty sure Hatcher will consider the political implications and offer no leniency.

However, as we stated yesterday, Fox and Pruett have already served enough time to be eligible for parole. After they're processed, we'll publish their AIS numbers so that the public may write the Parole Board.

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There could possibly be a verdict in the Hershel Dale Graham Felony Murder trial today. A friend has asked us to elaborate concerning our belief in Graham's absolute guilt. We have done so via an e-mail, but we'll present this tidbit to our readers.

Hershel Graham offered this statement in his defense last Friday: “You never want to be in a situation like that and do something like that.”

Really, Mr. Graham? I would agree, especially since it's the second time in your life that you've shot someone in "self-defense." Yes, Graham once shot his stepfather, who fortunately lived. We don't know about any of you out there, but we here at Shoalanda have never shot the first person, much less the second...

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The Hot Wheelz Hotties plan a poker run this Saturday. Barbecue plates will go on sale at 11:00 a.m. The run will start at Noon and requires a $20.00 entry fee. The event, held at Stagger Lee's on Hwy 20, will culminate with an auction. So far, over 3K in prizes have been donated by local merchants.

Hot Wheelz was founded by Lisa Steel Murr and Vickie Powers. We'll have an update on this later in the week. 



Shoalanda

Juggalos Face March Indictment/Navistar News

Ronald (Ron Wikkid) Weems & Laurel (Chubbylette) Pruett

Sources in the Colbert County District Attorney's office state the cases against Ronald Weems, Laurel Pruett, and Matthew Fox will be presented to a grand jury in March. Ostensibly, the February docket was full; however, we hope this also means co-conspirator Ashley Fawn Greenhill will have been arrested in the interim. The family of murder victim Amanda Taylor needs as much closure as possible.

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While Navistar has yet to make an official announcement concerning the exact product to be manufactured in the former National Alabama plant, we've received reports that 50 workers have recently been added to the force and 50 more should join them by the end of the month. The first series of classes for new job recruits is scheduled to begin January 24th at Northwest Shoals Community College.

We're still hearing that the Navistar facility will be producing parts for the MaxxPro military vehicles. If so, it's sad that war is the driving force bringing an upturn to Shoals economy, but we're nevertheless thankful for the much needed boost.

Related post: Military Contract for Navistar Barton?

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Call it Rogers Hall or call it Courtview, its beauty is undeniable. This 1907 photo postcard can be yours for $19.90 on eBay: Link



Shoalanda

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

Deal for Ashley Fawn Greenhill? - Part II

At around 3:00 p.m. on October 17th, Robert D. Lee arrived at the home of Ronald Weems to pick up Amanda Taylor. Ashley Greenhill, aka Ash Lette, was sitting on the front porch with Ron's mother Laquania Welch Weems. In her hand was a hatchet that she began to wave over her head in a threatening manner. Greenhill told Lee that sometime after Taylor arrived at the Moss Avenue home around 1:20, she had attacked Ronald Eugene Weems and was no longer at the residence. Lee, fearful for his safety, left the premises. It's good to know Ashley's Juggalo props can pull double duty.

On November 7th, Ashley Greenhill reported to police that she had overheard several phone conversations in which Weems and Laurel Pruett discussed the murder of Taylor and the subsequent disposition of her body. Greenhill stated she was in fear of her life and had shortly thereafter moved out of the Muscle Shoals home she was sharing with the Weems family. Ronald Weems then made his enigmatic Facebook posting in which he called Greenhill a "roach."

Matthew Richard Fox & Co-Worker

According to Laurel Pruett's confession, Ashley Greenhill and her friend Matthew Richard Fox joined Weems and her in the basement of the Moss Avneue home around 10:30 p.m. on the night of the murder. A friend of Fox, aka Fox Fudoshin, has stated Ashley Greenhill texted Fox and asked for information on the best way to hide a body. Fox had ostensibly never met Weems before that night, and Greenhill was the only link between them. We're going to assume Fox now wishes he had never met Ashley Greenhill.

Other sources have stated that after Greenhill looked at Amanda's corpse, she walked upstairs to smoke weed and take Valium while waiting for the safety of nightfall. Fox's friend and co-worker Luke Stanfield stated he has known Ashley Greenhill for approximately ten years and has never known her to be a truthful person. We may infer Stanfield's opinion is correct since she certainly offered several colorful tales to explain the injuries she and her boyfriend inflicted on her then two year-old son.

Yet, Ashley Fawn Greenhill is not in jail with her friends. We have to ask why. What kind of deal was the Brooks High grad offered? Life isn't fair, and neither is death. The enormity of this gruesome murder is mind boggling. If Greenhill isn't prosecuted for this crime, the would-be model will undoubtedly be prosecuted for something else down the road.

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An attorney for Kimberly Bynum appeared in Franklin County court this morning and waived a preliminary hearing during the arraignment process. A pre-trial date for the former Vina High School teacher will be set later this month.

Related post: Kimberly Bynum's Long-Term Affair


Shoalanda

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Deal for Ashley Fawn Greenhill? - Part I

By the time Ashley Fawn Greenhill met Clint Matthew Anderson, she had a child and he had a felony conviction. Together they lived on the north end of Howell Street in a bungalow that had seen better days.

Pregnant with Clint's child, Ashley had given guardianship of her two year-old son to her parents, but sometimes brought the child into the home she shared with her then boyfriend. After one such visit, Ashley's parents noticed bite marks over much of the boy's body, along with scratches over his lower back and extremities. The Greenhills immediately reported the child's condition to DHR, and both Ashley and Clint were arrested.

At the time of Ashley Greenhill's arrest for Felony Torture of her child, she was out of jail on bail for charges of burglary, theft, criminal mischief and receiving stolen property. Her bail revoked, the 21 year-old Ashley agreed to enter drug rehab and was given leniency by the courts. Clint's parole was revoked, and he was returned to the Alabama Department of Corrections where he remains incarcerated at a facility called the Cattle Ranch. He's scheduled to be released on September 9, 2014.

By the fall of 2011, Ashley was 24 and enrolled in classes at NWSCC studying to be a hair dresser. Her online profiles describe her as a model, but acquaintances stated she worked as a stripper. The portrait to the left was posted online ten days before the murder of Amanda Taylor. On the networking site, Ashley has one contact--"Rob Noxious."

Needing a home, Ashley asked fellow Insane Clown Posse groupie Ron Weems for a place to stay. Weems allowed the young woman to move into the Muscle Shoals home he shared with his widowed mother, but later commented on Facebook that Ashley was a "roach" who had brought other vermin into his house. Whether he referred to Matthew Fox, we may only surmise.

By now Laurel Pruett, the mother of Ron Weems' four year-old daughter, had moved into a home in Sheffield. While Laurel was a frequent visitor to the Moss Avenue home she once shared with Ron, friends have said theirs was an open relationship and many believed him to be involved sexually with Ashley.

Tomorrow: Part II - The Cover-Up

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Several readers have asked what yesterday's preliminary hearing for Ron Weems actually decided. The hearing only established that there was enough evidence against Weems to present the case to the grand jury. The next grand jury meets January 9th, but our opinion is District Attorney Bryce Graham will wait to hone his case. The indictment shouldn't hold any surprises, but will resolve what specific charges Weems, Pruett, and Fox will face. Certainly Amanda Taylor's family is hoping for an indictment of Capital Murder. Any time served in jail awaiting trial will be counted against Weems' sentence should he be convicted--almost a foregone conclusion.

Weems' attorney may ask for other hearings concerning the introduction of evidence or change of venue after the indictment. There can be other delays in trying the case due to backlogs at forensic testing centers. In other words, a July trial is not guaranteed and may be overly optimistic. By no means did Tuesday's preliminary hearing end the legal battle to bring justice for Amanda Taylor's family.



Shoalanda

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

Ron (Wikkid) Weems: He's Just a Juggalo

"I know that they've been together. I don't know how often or how long." Ron Weems' mother when asked about a physical relationship between her son and his victim.


This afternoon, District Judge Chad Coker will have the unenviable displeasure of looking Ronald Eugene Weems and Matthew Richard Fox in the face for the second time. It should be pretty cut and dried for Fox; either Judge Coker will reduce Fox's bail or not. Fox has made some horrendous choices in his life the past few months, but we doubt he will be indicted for Felony Murder. We're very interested in how Chad will handle this case.

As for Ron (Wikkid) Weems? Today's hearing ostensibly will decide if the State has enough evidence to indict. Well...there are the confessions of all three defendants.

The most interesting issue to be decided in the near future will be the verdicts of the January grand jury. Will the state wish to indict Weems for Felony Murder or go for a Capital charge? Does the State have grounds for a Capital Murder indictment?

Click for Larger Image

Laurel Pruett's confession indicated Amanda Taylor's body was lying on the basement floor with her jeans and underpants removed. It's not a stretch that the prosecution will contend Weems killed his former sister-in-law during an attempted rape. Laquania Weems has stated her son had a previous physical relationship with his ex-wife's sister--rape might be hard to prove. The difference? If indicted and convicted of only Felony Murder, Weems would at some point be eligible for parole. Even so, we doubt that Amanda Taylor's friends and family would fail to protest the release of this Juggalo gigolo.

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What others are saying about Ronald Eugene Weems:

Of course the question is going to come up if the ‘music’ of ICP caused Weems to kill. As much as I deride Juggalos the music does not cause anyone to kill. It’s more of case of people with violent tendencies being drawn to their music. - Nationally known blogger Trench Reynolds

If guilty, this cornfed moron must have lived under a rock for the past decade or so, because he obviously missed the part about forensic testing. - Crime writer Chelsea Hoffman

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Congrats to UNA on their rehire of Bobby Wallace. The university's board can do something right...



Shoalanda

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

Why Were Taxpayers Supporting Ronald E. Weems?

Ronald Eugene Weems told friends he had a heart condition and couldn't work. Disability records are confidential, so we don't know if Weems ever actually received any SSI payments. Our guess is that he didn't. At the time of Amanda Taylor's murder, he was involved in an appeal of his disability (Disabled Individual Worker). So how did Weems survive?

By sharing a home with his mother, he seemingly had free rent and built-in child care, assuming Laquania Welch Weems was also absent from the work force. Those who have commented privately to us have stated this was the case.

Others have commented that Weems took excellent care of his children. Apparently such care was not without the aid of the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. You may click on the image above for a larger shot of Weems' mobile Facebook posting while waiting to apply for the program. Warning: Strong language.

Did you notice the words "mobile Facebook posting?" Yes, it seems Weems was using a Droid phone to make posts from whatever important places and events he may have visited during the day. We apparently missed the section in the Constitution guaranteeing 3G communications to all citizens. If you want it and can afford it, go for it. Otherwise, don't ask taxpayers to fund what many don't have themselves.

That also goes for tattoos which we understand start at around $100.00 for a small work and are never recommended for indiviuals with heart conditions due to risk of infection. We have to wonder how many of our taxpayer dollars went to purchase Weems' November tattoo...but what the hey, there's always an Angel Tree to provide for his three children.
Who has Weems' phone now? Are we still paying for it? We know that Ron Weems' mother has custody of at least one child, the daughter of Ron and Laurel Ann Pruett. How is she spending the taxpayer dollars that we have provided for this child or these children?

Just as Jay Leno hates stupid criminals, we at Shoalanda hate the misuse of our tax dollars. If you want to make sure the children of Ronald Eugene Weems are cared for properly and have a secure home, we ask that you contact the Colbert County DHR office to request they expedite their supposedly ongoing investigation. Our tax dollars should support Alabama children who have no one else to do so; they should not buy Android phones for murderers.

Direct E-Mail to Colbert County DHR

Weems v. Social Security Administration

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Any of our readers attend the Florence Christmas parade early last month? If you did, you didn't see the Lauderdale County Sheriff Department's entry. Did Ronnie (pass me the donuts, you pretty young thing) Willis not remember to send anyone to represent county law enforcement, or did he just not think it worthwhile?


Shoalanda

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Hearing for Amanda Taylor's Killer/Tuscumbia Lustron History

January 3rd will see Ronald Weems and Matthew Fox in court. It's been reported that Weems has asked for a preliminary hearing. Legal sources say the murderer of Amanda Taylor and his attorney may ask for all or portions of the confession to be declared inadmissible, as well as a change of venue. Fox will be requesting a reduction in his 500K bail.

Sources close to Laurel Pruett (pictured) say she's not requesting bail reduction since none of her family lives in Alabama. We have had conflicting reports as to the custody of Pruett's four-year old daughter, but a second source has confirmed the child remains with Weem's mother in Muscle Shoals. DHR has reportedly petitioned to have the daughter removed.

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The Tuscumbia Lustron Home As I Remember It

A Guest Commentary By

Jim Smith

I lived at 705 East 4th street at the time the house was erected. I was the paper boy to everyone in the east end of town so I thought I had to see and know about everything that was going on.

The Catholic Church was on the corner of East Street and 4th. In the earlier years there was a Catholic School and living quarters on the corner of Hickory and 4th.

Sometime around 1948 0r 1949, they decided to build a new Rectory behind the church. It was decided to be a Lustron House. At that time Lustron produced and shipped all steel enameled houses.


The site was prepared and the parts and pieces arrived. A wrecker came to unload the steel parts. They stacked the steel parts and boxes of screws, bolts, etc., along the curb in front of the house. Each part was numbered and much time was spent as they sorted and found the right pieces. Each part had a certain screw or bolt for that section. I was allowed to pick up these things at the end of the day and wish I had saved some of them.

As the house took shape, it was easy to see that once the last screw was in place, it would be ready to live in. Everything was enameled in the color that had been chosen.

I don't remember how long it took them to finish but it did not seem very long. One thing that stands out now as I look back is the fact that there were no fancy electric or air tools as we know them today. Everything was screwed or bolted by hand.


There was some discussion among the workers about not having a back door because of concern for the Priest. Access to him was very limited outside of the Church. I will drop by the site to check this out once the ground dries up and the weather gets better.

This type of house was supposed to be the next best thing to sliced bread as far as technology was concerned. Not only was it pre-insulated, it was designed to last a long, long time. This is evidenced by the one we see off of Woodmont Drive. Even though the years of neglect are showing, I am sure it is in a lot better shape than a wood-frame house would be after all this time.

I don't know the whole story of the company but there are references to bad business decisions and other problems. There does not seem to be problems with the houses themselves. Can you imagine what your house would look like 60 years after it was built had it been neglected and not maintained?

Thanks to Mary for finding it and to everyone for providing the opportunity to tell about it as I remember. Also, thanks to everyone who loves Tuscumbia as much as I do for your interest in saving and preserving as much of our history as we can.

THIS WAS ONE TIME WHERE A meets B and Y met Z that everything came together.

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Colbert County native Jim Smith is the author of Walk Through Town (with me as a ten year-old boy). It can be found on Amazon and at several local book stores. Link





Shoalanda

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