Special Report: Trial of Century Over in Three Days

Colbert County District Attorney Bryce Graham asked the jury in the Ronald Weems murder trial to deliver a swift verdict. Translation: After all the sickening testimony, he wanted a long weekend.

Graham got his wish as jurors reportedly took a little over one hour to deliberate. Sentencing should be merely a formality: Life with Possibility of Parole. We'll post Weems' AIS number as soon as it's assigned. The public may then begin to write to the parole board to protest any future release.

The Staff at Shoalanda Speaks

Weems & Moyers: Our Legal System is Flawed

We've been reading several comments on the Ron Wikkid Weems murder case, and it appears many think Weems could face the death penalty. Sorry, folks, Weems is charged with Felony Murder, not Capital Murder. Why?

We should all ask that. Surely the Colbert County District Attorney could have added attempted rape to the list of charges Weems faces. According to Weems' mother, he and Amanda Taylor had at one time been lovers, yet at this point it's not just a rape case, but a murder. The charge would have insured Weems was tried for Capital Murder and faced either death by lethal injection or life in prison. As it stands now, Weems will be eligible for parole and probably make it at some point.

In Limestone County we have a man who lived alone and was afraid of the thieves and vandals who had been frequenting his lonely stretch of road. When Joel Moyers saw suspicious activity, he attempted to stop the vehicle in which Brandon Hydrick was a passenger. As the driver sped off, Moyers fired one shot.

Here the story becomes much more nebulous. Moyers states he tried to fire over the vehicle, using a rifle that weighs at least nine pounds and probably as much as twelve. The Limestone County District Attorney says Moyers deliberately fired into the truck. Now Joel Moyers is charged with killing a man he'd never met...not out of anger or for money or any other personal reason. Why?

Yes, why is Ronald Weems not charged with Capital Murder and Joel Moyers is? Our hodge podge of Capital Murder crimes needs to be revamped, but it won't happen until the public demands it.

Related post: Alabama Capital Crimes

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There will be an appeal of the David Riley murder verdict on April 23rd. Riley was convicted of shooting liquor store clerk Scott Kirtley during a robbery. We understand it's just a formality. Like Ronald Weems, Riley is best kept off the streets. Unlike Weems, he's awaiting death by lethal injection.

While on the subject of revamping laws, why may the defense bring up any past indiscretion of the victim, but the prosecution may not enter most past arrests of the defendant into testimony? Shouldn't we bar such testimony on both sides?



Shoalanda

Perjury...and Who Knew She Could Do Demure?

Ashley Fawn Greenhill testified today in the Felony Murder trial of Ron Wikkid Weems. A WAAY 31 news report described her as looking demure...

Making a Cocktail Waitress in a Dolly Parton Wig Look Good

Yep, we suppose she went for the demure look since she couldn't come up with a walker in jail. According to sources familiar with the case, Greenhill immediately committed perjury concerning her part in the events and especially in relating her actions in the days that followed. Why? She already has a deal.

However, the judge has not yet sentenced Greenhill. She remains on probation for other crimes, lovely baby-biter that she is. When legal pundits say only the Charles Mansons of the world get consecutive sentences, they have Ashley Greenhill in mind.

Yes, Ashley, the "demure" stripper with an axe, related she left the Weems home the day after Amanda Taylor's murder. In fact, Ashley remained with Ron until she could find a new wallet with a pe..., er, boyfriend. She even attended the Renaissance Faire with him two weeks after the murder.

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The defense: The truth may never be known concerning the events in the basement of Laquania Weems' Moss Street home, but there are some things we could rule out. Ever pick up a concrete block, or even half of one? Then imagine picking it up over your head and throwing it; imagine a petite woman throwing this object. We have an idea Ron Wikkid's defense isn't really trying. In the immortal words of Mark Slackmeyer: Guilty, guilty, guilty!

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Yesterday we mentioned the 10K check Ron and Amanda had stolen from Laurel Pruett. According to sources close to the family, the check made out to Laurel Pruett was not some state support for Pandora Pruett, but was intended to go to Laurel's middle child Nikki.

Laurel's ex-husband Ross Pruett had been granted a disability, and the 10K was court-ordered support, even though Ross' family was the primary caregiver for the disabled girl. That makes it better, doesn't it? Ron didn't come up with a scheme to steal from his own child, but from the handicapped child of one of his lovers.

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* Jury selection is still continuing in the Charles Moore murder trial in Moulton. The venire has now been reduced to 44.
* We'll have our report on Tuscumbia Middle School next week.
* We'll also be bringing you the "Angela Gieske Comedy Hour." Ba da Boom!

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.

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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.

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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

Special Report: Hershel Graham Guilty of Manslaughter

While not the Felony Murder verdict David Andrasik's family had hoped for, a Franklin County jury this morning found Hershel Dale Graham guilty of Manslaughter.

Graham will be leaving his gun collection and abused dogs for a new home in Hamilton, Alabama. We hope DA Joey Rushing and David's family will convince Judge Terry Dempsey to hand down a lengthy sentence. 

In Dennis, Mississippi, and Red Bay, Alabama, many citizens, including some abused ex-girlfriends of the retired rotund wrestler will rest easier tonight.

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

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.

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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