Ronald Weems at Limestone Correctional Facility

Ron Wikkid Weems has been processed and placed at the Limestone prison facility near Capshaw, Alabama. He will have an appeal hearing on August 5th.

The Weems case never ceases to amaze us. Colbert County District Attorney Bryce Graham stated he could find no grounds to charge Weems with Capital Murder, even though a case could surely have been made for attempted rape based on testimony from others who viewed the body.

Ashley Greenhill had several prior convictions, one of them for a violent crime against her own child, but wasn't tried as a habitual offender. Matt Fox and Laurel Pruett faced only two charges each. If they had been charged with and convicted of three separate felonies they would have then been in danger of a life sentence should they ever commit another felony. Wasn't there evidence for at least a theft charge in Pruett's case? 

Now we're confronted with an appeal hearing from Weems and his attorneys. Yes, Ronald Weems will be returned to the Shoals and again have the opportunity for better food and family visits. Let's hope it's his last visit. Amanda's family deserves more justice than what has so far been meted out.

*****

Neighbors of Laquania Weems state she has relinquished custody of Ron and Laurel's daughter to a nephew. The child's situation seems to be going from bad to worse. We know several have contacted DHR over the past year or so concerning this child, but nothing has been done. At this point, it seems as if everyone is waiting for the next clown shoe to drop.

*****

A reader has asked us why Shoals Ambulances don't yet have license plates on their vehicles. We were unaware of that--perhaps special tags were ordered? If any readers can enlighten us, shoot us an e-mail.



Shoalanda

Mutilation Trio All Get 120 Months

Laurel Pruett, Matthew Fox, and Ashley Greenhill all received identical 10 year sentences this morning. Pruett and Fox have no record, while Greenhill has quite a felonious past. One of her crimes involved violence perpetrated on a child, her own child. Her other crimes were considered property offenses; however, we were hoping the stripper with an axe would be sentenced as a habitual offender.

So how soon should we expect their release?

Assuming good behavior, and considering time served, the trio should EOS by April 2015. It might be too much of a stretch for Greenhill to keep her nose clean once incarcerated, but barring any extraordinary behavior on the part of Pruett and Fox, 40 months should see the end of their prison time.

How about parole? The trio should be eligible now for parole, again considering time served. First the board will have to schedule the hearings, and that may take some time. That brings in the possibility of an attorney interceding.

We doubt Pruett or Greenhill will have that luxury, but Fox certainly may. It also means he's likely to make parole. Pruett's case might be a toss up, and the odds would certainly be against Greenhill making any program designed to remove her from the hardcore prison population.

*****

We understand Laurel Pruett's child with Ron Wikkid Weems is still in the custody of Weems' mother. No child deserves to be used as a meal ticket or to be the victim of sexual abuse. Here's hoping DHR steps in soon.



Shoalanda

But I Did Not Shoot the Deputy...

Speaking of songs, we've Heard It Through the Grapevine that a Lauderdale County deputy was shot Friday...during qualifications...with an assault weapon. How does something like that happen? We have no idea, especially since the report stated he shot himself...in the finger. How does something like that happen? We are very sorry for any discomfort this deputy has endured, but we have to say it was hard not to laugh...just a little.

The election can't come soon enough...

*****

So what did happen to Laurel Pruett's money? We don't know what happened to the proceeds of the first check, but according to a source close to Pruett, she used the second check to purchase Ron Wikked Weems a new computer and blew much more on several meals at fancy restaurants and a shopping spree with their daughter. What would last most of us three years, lasted Ron and Laurel just three weeks.

*****

Ron Wikkid's cousin, noted for making threats before his trial for murder, has been arrested in Lauderdale County on more harassment charges as well as Second Degree Theft. Sources at the Florence-Lauderdale Detention Center state she remains in custody in lieu of bond. At this rate, Tanisha Tetter Welch will be with Laurel and Ashley soon enough. 

*****

Shoalanda

Where is Laurel Pruett's Money?

We've seen the question asked on Facebook, and now we ask it also. In October 2011, Laurel Pruett received almost 11K in back child support in the form of a check mailed from Montgomery. When it arrived at her previous address, a home she had shared with Ron Wikkid Weems and his mother Laquania Weems, Ron appropriated the check with the assistance of his future victim Amanda Taylor. It's been reported that Amanda probably took no more than 2K in order to pay some fines, allowing her to be free to move to Arkansas with her children.

What happened to the remaining 8K? Weems had no mortgage or student loans. He may have had an auto loan on what he called his wikkedmobile (don't you know his mother was proud of him). How easy would it have been for Ron to have spent the 8K in the two months before his arrest?

Drugs aren't cheap, neither are tats or props that go with a life of cosplay. It's certainly possible Weems spent the entire amount. It's also possible the remainder of the money remains in his family--with the one Moss Avenue resident who wasn't charged.

It seems Pruett was also sent a replacement check once the original was reported stolen. So perhaps we're looking at close to 20K that may be in the hands of one for whom it was never intended--a very good motive to assist in helping with a cover-up. Yet an innocent child still lives with this person. DHR has so far not acted on allegations of abuse. Perhaps because she has no money to filter through the court systems? How sad for the child.



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.

*****

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.

*****

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

Was Murdered Family Shot?

Last week the state fire marshal's office announced a recent fatal Central fire was arson. The blaze that supposedly killed three members of the Brewer family had been set using an accelerant. Pictured at left is Bradley Adams, the nephew who died that night.

Now a source in the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office has indicated all three were shot before the fire was set. Reportedly there are suspects in the case, and an announcement is forthcoming.

*****

From Bottom Left: Fox, Pruett, Greenhill

Laurel Pruitt and Matthew Fox could be free within a matter of weeks. Last week the duo pleaded guilty to charges of hindering prosecution and desecration of a corpse. The maximum sentence for these charges is 10 years...120 months.

The sentence is eligible for CIT, meaning the actual maximum time is around 40 months. Parole dates are usually set after the offender has served one-third of their time--a little over 13 months in this case. Both Pruett and Fox have already been incarcerated for approximately 16 months. One possibility is that the judge will announce a split sentence allowing the pair immediate freedom, but ensuring they serve at least three years on probation.

Ashley Greenhill was not arrested with Pruett and Fox. She also had quite a record unlike the other two. We're not sure how a Colbert County judge will handle her sentencing, but we hope she can in some way be made to serve at least a longer probationary period.



Shoalanda

The Defense of Ronald Eugene Weems - Part II

On May 22, Dr. Sydney H. Garner of Psychological Specialties in Dothan performed a mental evaluation on Ronald Eugene Weems, aka Ron Wikkid. Judging from some of the photos of Weems posted online, we're surprised the evaluation didn't mention "arrested development." Obviously the main thrust of the interview was to determine if Weems is competent to stand trial and to assist his defense attorneys. Here are some interesting tidbits contained in the final product:

1. Ron's late father was 11 years older than his mother. His 61 year-old mother is currently disabled (although we'll add this didn't keep her from ushering WAAY reporters around the basement murder scene).

2. Ron indicated he was the father to only three children (according to other sources, there are at least two more who are still legally his).

3. He had been a patient at Riverbend for four years previous to Amanda Taylor's murder and was on anti-seizure and anti-depressant medications during part of this time.

4. He had been arrested previously for domestic violence and theft of property.

5. Ron has a total of six tattoos and piercings of the ears, lips, and genitals (Ouch!).

6. He hears voices in the back of his mind and feels these sound like the voices of demons; however, these voices have never commanded him to do anything.

7. Ron also sees flashes of color from time to time (he stated he has taken LSD in the past).

8. Ron stated that at the time of the murder Laurel Pruett was his current girlfriend.

Thursday: What Ron says really happened...



Shoalanda

Laurel Pruett & Matthew Fox Back in Court

Thursday saw two of the four defendants in the Amanda Taylor case back in court. Laurel Pruett (pictured right), along with Matthew Fox and Ashley Greenhill are accused of helping admitted killer Ronald Weems dispose of Taylor's body--in legal terms, abuse of a corpse and hindering prosecution.

Pruett sought a reduction in bond. Not surprisingly, Colbert Judge Jackie Hatcher refused. A reader has informed us that Pruett has undergone a transformation of sorts since her arrest; but with no family in the Shoals, she is considered a flight risk.

*****

Matthew Fox, now 21, requested that he be given youthful offender status. Fox (pictured left) was 20 when he assisted in disposing of Taylor's body at the request of Ashley Greenhill.

Judge Jackie Hatcher will rule on Fox's request June 3rd. We're predicting the Florence man won't receive that coveted designation. The Colbert County District Attorney's office is opposed to the request, especially in such a high profile crime. Many states use the age of 18 as a cut-off date for youthful offenders, and Fox was close to his 21st birthday at the time of his crime.

For information on the youthful offender classification, see post on Autumn Marie Wood: Link

*****

Ashley Greenhill did not join her fellow conspirators in court. It remains possible that the part-time stripper may be tried as a habitual offender. Greenhill and Pruett have court-appointed attorneys, while Fox's family is said to have hired a lawyer to represent him.

Related post:

The Killers Three



Shoalanda

New Franklin CoC Director/Life for Ashley Greenhill?

The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce received 18 applications for the position of director, interviewing seven candidates. The position reportedly will pay between 30K and 40K, depending upon experience. Considering the economic climate in Franklin County, we're surprised there weren't more applicants, but we don't know how widely the opening was posted.

How did the chamber eliminate the 11 who weren't interviewed? There could have been many deciding factors, but we're going to rule out education, since the new director lists only a 1991 diploma from Russellivlle High School. More importantly, of the those interviewed, how did the chamber come to select the 38 year-old small business owner?

Tomorrow: Cassie Carol Lindsey Medley

*****

Several readers have asked how long Ashley Fawn Greenhill will serve for her part in the cover-up of Amanda Taylor's murder. These are the applicable laws in Alabama...

Abuse of Corpse: 

(a) A person commits the crime of abuse of a corpse if, except as otherwise authorized by law, he knowingly treats a human corpse in a way that would outrage ordinary family sensibilities. Abuse of a corpse may include knowingly and willfully signing a certificate as having embalmed, cremated, or prepared a human body for disposition when, in fact, the services were not performed as indicated.
(b) Abuse of a corpse is a Class C felony.

Hindering Prosecution:

(a) A person commits the crime of hindering prosecution in the first degree if with the intent to hinder the apprehension, prosecution, conviction or punishment of another for conduct constituting a murder or a Class A or B felony, he renders criminal assistance to such person.
(b) Hindering prosecution in the first degree is a Class C felony.

Maximum Sentence:

With this conviction, the sentence is no less than two years and no more than twenty years. If firearm or other deadly weapon is used the minimum sentence is ten years. Fine is no more than $5000.

Conclusion:

Matthew Fox, Ashley Greenhill, and Laurel Pruett could all face a sentence of 20 years. Their previous criminal records, if any, would be taken into consideration. Ashley Greenhill has at least three previous felonies (one violent). She could possibly be tried as a habitual offender and given a life sentence--either with or without parole.

*****

Why wasn't Ronald Eugene Weems indicted for Capital Murder? Our guess is the district attorney's office felt the autopsy/forensic report on Weems' victim Amanda Taylor did not prove rape as has been speculated in some circles; neither could any actual robbery be proved. That effectively ruled out  a Capital Murder indictment.

*****

The ShoalsInsider has reported that Ashley Greenhill's two children are no longer living with her parents, but are in foster care. The father of Greenhill's younger child remains in prison. We don't know if Greenhill has relinquished all claims to the children, but doing so could possibly win her some small favor with the state. These two children deserve much better than they have received up until this point.



Shoalanda

Ashley Fawn Greenhill Indicted

Ashley Greenhill, aka Ash Lette

Ashley Fawn Greenhill has now joined Ronald Wikkid Weems, Laurel Pruett, and Matthew Fox (Fudoshin) as one of the accused in the Amanda Taylor murder case. A Colbert County grand jury indicted Greenhill, who uses the stage name Ash Lette, for hindering prosecution and abuse of a corpse. 

Sources say the stripper from Killen remains in the Muscle Shoals jail with bail set at 250K. Sources further stated Greenhill has not been transported to the Tuscumbia City Jail, where Colbert County's female prisoners are housed, in order to keep her and Laurel Pruett separated. Both women were sometime girlfriends of Weems, and Greenhill turned in the other three in an effort to avoid prosecution.

We may now wonder why Laquania Weems, Ron's mother, was not similarly indicted and arrested. Perhaps the grand jury felt a mother's love is blind?

Related posts:

The Killers Three

Ashley Fawn Greenhill

*****

A related comment from "Heather" on the PYSIH site:

I actually attended Brooks High in Florence with Ashley Greenhill… And hung out with her on a daily basis until I moved back to my hometown in Ga. We were all huge fans of ICP back then but I figured we would all grow out of it. I know I did. Woowww. What a crazy thought. I am really just in disbelief to see her on here but I don't guess I should be... 

*****

NOTE: We have received an unconfirmed report that the charge of "murder" was dropped against Matthew Fox. Fox was not in the Moss Avenue home at the time of the murder and was unaware of the crime until contacted by Ash Lette.

*****

We'll continue with our series on the new director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce tomorrow.

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.

*****

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?

*****

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 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

*****

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...

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

*****

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

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

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.

*****

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.

*****

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...

Salah v. Southside: The Facts/Laurel Pruett Update

Judging from comments and questions received concerning the ongoing legal battle of Salah N. Salah to obtain a beer/wine license from the City of Russellville, there are many misconceptions about the local alcohol laws and how they are being used or misused in this instance. We're listing the facts of the case below. It will be up to a court to determine if the laws are being applied in accordance with these facts.

1. Alabama law states that any business licensed to sell alcohol must be at least 300 feet from a church building or 1000 feet from a school.building.

2. Russellville's liquor license law states that such a business must be at least 500 feet from a church or 1000 feet from a school building.

3. TNS Mini-Mart is 397 feet from the main church building at Southside Baptist.

4. TNS Mini-Mart is 187 feet from a playground that is part of the Southside Baptist Church plant.

5. Southside Baptist Church erected their building at 12215 Highway 43 South in 1964. It remains the original congregation.

6. Salah purchased Ray's Southside Food Mart at 12301 Highway 43 South approximately one year ago. The building certainly had not been constructed when Southside Baptist established its church. In other words, Salah knew the church was there when he purchased the small store.

7. Representatives of Southside Baptist exercised their legal right to object to alcohol sales at TNS Mini-Mart, and the Russellville City Council honored that objection.

8. It's unknown to us if Southside Baptist Church operates a daycare that would qualify as a school. If so, it would logically seem the courts would uphold the City of Russellville's decision not to license TNS Mini-Mart for the sale of beer and wine.

We'll add that of all the governments in the Shoals area, we receive the most complaints concerning Russellville Mayor Troy Oliver; however, in this case, we feel the town acted legally. What a court of law will say may be entirely different.

*****

We recently received a comment from Tasha concerning what she called errors in our report on Laurel Ann Stocker Pruett (pictured). We asked Tasha to elaborate; however, her second comment contained what could be construed as a libelous statement concerning Pruett's victim. Therefore we choose not to publish the comment, but will address the errors that Tasha has enumerated.

We had reported that Laurel met Ronald E. Weems after she moved to the Shoals. Tasha informs us that Laurel had previously met Ron and moved here to be with him.

Tasha further stated that Laurel had lived in the Shoals for some time before she became employed at the Chevron. We did not mention a specific date for Laurel's employment, taking the information from one of Laurel's social networking sites; however, we are happy to add this if Tasha feels it's important to the account.

Tasha has also assured us that Laurel was not jealous of Ron and his other girlfriends. This is a subjective opinion, and one we sincerely doubt. If it should be true, it would indicate Laurel's feelings for Ron were something less that love. This would then beg the question of why Laurel would have helped Ron dispose of his victim's body. Believe us, Tasha, it's far better that Laurel be seen as a woman under the influence of uncontrollable passion than one cold-blooded enough to abet the crimes of murder and dismemberment.

Finally, Tasha mentioned the name of Ron and Laurel's child. We have chosen not to name the child in question, but it should be noted that if Ron and Laurel are convicted, they will become the property of the state. They will have no rights the state chooses not to give them. At that point, their little girl will be legally adopted by, we hope, a loving couple who will change both her names. We hope she will never have to suffer for the sins of her current parents.



Shoalanda

Laurel Pruett's Path to Murder/The Envy Band

The following is an update on Laurel Pruett, accused accomplice in the murder of Amanda Taylor:

It's not surprising that Laurel Ann Stocker didn't have an easy childhood. Her father left the family when she was 18 months old. After announcing he was gay, Stocker never saw Laurel or her younger sister again. Her mother Barbara, bi-polar and left alone with two young daughters, worked as a nurse at the Limestone Correctional Facility until she became disabled. She died three years ago.

At 15, Laurel became pregnant with her first child. Her boyfriend was several years older and heavily into drugs. He disappeared before his son was born, a son that has Asperger's Syndrome and now lives in a foster home in Decatur. Laurel then married Ross Pruett and became a mother again, this time giving birth to a daughter. After the divorce, her mentally challenged daughter went to live with Laurel's ex-father-in-law. Once again Laurel Ann Stocker Pruett was alone.

Laurel's online profiles state that she has some college credit, but don't specify a school. After moving to the Shoals, she worked at a Chevron in Muscle Shoals. She also met Ronald Weems, whom she thought was "Preppy." A week after they met, he surprised her by dying his hair blue. Apparently this didn't bother Laurel who went on to live with Ron and have his daughter. She considered them married, but Ron demanded the relationship be open...at least as far as other women were concerned.

Ron, who had no steady employment, lived with his mother. Friends say he loved his children from his marriage to Brandy Leeth and was eager to have custody of the two when his ex-wife was no longer able to care for them properly. Therein lay a problem for Laurel; DHR refused to grant Ron custody as long as she lived with him.

Laurel, who was heterosexual, devised a plan to announce her "marriage" to a female friend in Sheffield. Now she lived sporadically with Ron, but also with her faux wife and her two children. We can assume it hurt Laurel to see Ron with his girlfriend du jour, especially someone like Ashley Greenhill who had lived even a more troubled life than Laurel.

Now Laurel claims she was not at Ron's house in Muscle Shoals when he murdered Brandy's sister Amanda Taylor. She has confessed to helping Ron cover his tracks in the crime, something a woman with Laurel's mindset wouldn't hesitate to do. We doubt she will be indicted for murder, but she still has several crimes to answer for. She won't have to worry about their young daughter--she's already in foster care.

We don't imagine that's how Laurel saw her future when she first met Ron. Apparently among Laurel's shortcomings in life was the ability to judge character. Now it has cost her everything.

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The Envy Band

Looking for a band for all your holiday parties? Look no farther. The Envy Band is composed of:

Mark Anthony Terry - Front Man/Guitar
Jeremy Sparks - Bass
Jeremy Young - Drums
Lee Gilstrap - Piano

Give them a call at 205-412-5814 Cell/253-383-4896 Home

Envy Band Page

Shoalanda

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.

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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.

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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

The Killers Three: Ronald Weems, Laurel Pruett, & Matthew Fox

Ronald Eugene Weems, 33, aka Ron Wikked, is a self-professed Juggalo, or follower of Hip Hop group Insane Clown Posse. The Muscle Shoals resident lived with his mother, 61 year-old Laquania Delores Welch Weems at 609 Moss Avenue in Muscle Shoals where the murder of Amanda Leeth Bailey Taylor took place. Also living in the run down home was Weems' latest girl friend, who sources say tipped off the police to the location of 32 year-old Taylor's dismembered body. Weems was often seen in costume complete with sword.

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Laurel Ann Pruett, 35, aka Chubby-Lette, a former girlfriend of Weems, lived in Sheffield with her "wife." Pruett, who had a child with Weems, has alternately described herself as straight and bi-sexual. She lived on Robertson Boulevard in Sheffield with her "wife." A member of the OkCupid dating site, she revealed in her profile last visited November 30th:

I'm a mommy, and I'm a juggalette. I'm bipolar, and alot of different things. I like things around me to be neat and orderly, but I let that slip alot. I'm pretty laid back, although time makes me bolder to speak out. I play D&D, old school style. I can play some Guitar Hero. I love Luna Online. I'm a girlie girl, but I'm not afraid to get dirty. I like to play outdoors, but I don't like hikes, long walks on the beach, or hunting. ~ I have a platonic wife. She's a major part of my life. ~ I'm best friends with my ex (my babydaddy, as it were lol). He'll always be a part of my life since we have a wonderful child together, and we parent her together. ~ I'm not looking for a serious relationship, although I never know when I'll meet someone I like that much. ~ I don't like to be used, and I don't use others.

Things have changed so much in the past months. Right now I have joint custody of my daughter. My wife and her 2 children also live with me. I'm rebuilding who I am, sorting out what I like, meeting more people.

I'm not perfect.

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Matthew Richard Fox, 21, of Florence, is something of a mystery man in the mix. The son of Richard M. Fox and Miriam Gail Fox, he lived in the Beechwood Subdivision off Cox Creek Parkway. According to reports in the TimesDaily, it was Fox's idea to dismember Taylor's body.

Now all three have been charged with murder. Three children in Arkansas no longer have a mother and a little girl in Sheffield has both parents facing possible capital murder charges. We have to believe alcohol or other drugs played a large part in this murder. If not, this trio of thugs is not worthy of the cost of housing them the rest of their lives.



Shoalanda

Laurel Pruett & Ronald Weems: Persons of Interest in Amanda Taylor Disappearance

Laurel (ChubbyLette) Pruett

Ronald E. (Ron Wikked) Weems

Ronald Weems and Laurel Pruett have both been taken into custody relating to the October 17th disappearance of Amanda Leeth Bailey Taylor. They considered themselves the perfect couple; did they think they had committed the perfect crime?

Weems, who often goes by the name Ron Wikked, had been married to Amanda's sister Brandy and was the father of her two children. Pruett, a native of Huntsville, had also been married and was the mother to three children when she met Ron, whom she called her soul mate. Together they had a child, but soon found it impossible to live together. They separated in October at approximately the same time Amanda Taylor went missing.

When taken into police custody Tuesday, Weems, 33, had already moved another woman into his mother's home on Moss Avenue in Muscle Shoals. Pruett, 35, was living in Sheffield. Neither has been officially arrested, and Amanda's family is still waiting for answers.

Sources with the Muscle Shoals Police Department have a possible motive for whatever may have happened to Amanda, but they have asked us not to release this information until formal arrests are made. In the mean time, Amanda is still missing and her family is still in a state of limbo.

Are these outcasts of society capable of murder? On Laurel Pruett's Facebook page she lists her favorite quote:

"Swing our hatchets if we must
Each and every one of us"

Shoalanda