Guthery found not guilty of manslaughter in vehicle crash
Updated June 27, 2024, at 5:45 p.m.
CULLMAN, Ala. – The reckless homicide trial of Tyler Jacob Guthery, 28, of Cullman County, ended early Wednesday evening with not guilty verdicts from the jury for the most serious counts for a 2021 crash that killed one...
Trials begin in 2017, 2021 homicide cases
CULLMAN, Ala. - Jury selection got underway Monday, June 24, 2024, in the trial of William Thomas Maddux, 33, of Cullman County, in the 2017 shooting death of his stepfather, and jurors heard opening arguments in the reckless homicide trial of Tyler Jacob Guthery,...
Cullman County woman receives 2 life sentences for 2019 murders of her children
CULLMAN, Ala. – A Cullman County woman on Thursday, June 20, received two life sentences for the brutal 2019 murders of her children.
Sara Tapia-Franco, 37, according to court records, pleaded guilty to two counts of capital murder. It was back on Oct. 12, 2019,...
Justice Department secures agreement with Alabama landlord Randy Hames to resolve claims of sexual harassment of female tenants
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Justice Department announced Friday that it has reached an agreement with Randy Hames, an Alabama landlord who owned and managed rental properties in a mobile home park in Cullman, Alabama, known as Hames Marina, to resolve a Fair Housing Act lawsuit alleging...
Cullman Co. man sentenced to 99 years for wife’s murder
CULLMAN, Ala. – A Cullman County man, who was convicted of murder in April for the for the Jan. 27, 2021, slaying of his wife, Tammy McClellan of Arkadelphia, has been sentenced to 99 years in prison for the crime. Cullman County Circuit Court...
Plea deal, 20 year sentence conclude 2015 rape and sodomy case
CULLMAN, Ala. – On the morning that opening arguments were to begin in the trial of Jackson Matthew Hall, 32, of Lacey’s Spring, the defendant entered a guilty plea to one of the two pending charges, seeing the other dismissed. The jury was seated late Monday afternoon,...
Jury seated in 2015 rape and sodomy case; trial set to begin Tuesday
Defendant had been in prison for a previous offense
CULLMAN, Ala. – Jury selection took place on Monday in Cullman in the rape and sodomy trial of Jackson Matthew Hall, 32, of Lacey’s Spring. Hall is charged with first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy for multiple...
Tyson Farms lawsuit settlement funds new projects in Colony, Garden City and Forks in the River
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Attorney General’s Restitution Fund Oversite Committee met at three different locations on Saturday to announce projects that are being planned to improve access to the Mulberry and Sipsey Forks of the Black Warrior River. The committee and local leaders met...
Elective abortions illegal in Alabama
MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Friday afternoon that the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama has lifted the injunction against Alabama’s Human Life Protection Act.
“The State of Alabama’s emergency motion to lift the injunction and reinstate Alabama’s 2019 law, which...
Cullman County District Attorney Wilson Blaylock announces the sentencing of convicted rapist Joshua Kane Smith
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman County District Attorney Wilson Blaylock announces that Joshua Kane Smith was sentenced to 40 years in prison by Circuit Judge Gregory Nicholas on May 20, 2022, as a result of his rape 1st degree, sex abuse 1st degree and incest...
Guest Editorial: Cullman County District Attorney Wilson Blaylock announces report of April 2022 Grand Jury
CULLMAN, Ala. - In its April 2022 term, the Grand Jury of Cullman County issued felony and misdemeanor indictments in 257 cases with a total of 492 counts. Several defendants have multiple cases, and many cases include multiple counts. Here is a breakdown of...
Attorney General Steve Marshall files suit to end Biden’s public-travel mask mandate
MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Attorney General Steve Marshall has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for its imposition of an illegal mask mandate for public travel despite court rulings that it is violating the law.
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic began,...
Cullman County District Attorney Wilson Blaylock announces the guilty verdict of John Michael Cosper, Jr.
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman County District Attorney Wilson Blaylock announced on Tuesday that John Michael Cosper, Jr. was found guilty of two counts of aggravated stalking 2nd degree and one count of violation of protection from abuse order after a two-day jury trial in...
Attorney General Steve Marshall leads 21-state brief in support of South Carolina abortion law
MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Attorney General Steve Marshall led a 21-state amicus brief filed Tuesday in support of South Carolina’s one-year-old Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act, which had been blocked by federal district and appeals courts.
Attorney General Marshall filed the amicus brief in Planned Parenthood...
Cullman County District Attorney Wilson Blaylock announces sentencing of habitual-offender Nathan Winston Stephens
(Photo courtesy of the CCSO)
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman County District Attorney Wilson Blaylock announces that Nathan Winston Stephens was sentenced to 75 years in prison by Circuit Judge Greg Nicholas on Thursday for his failure to register as a sex offender conviction from November.
“Although...
Cullman County District Attorney Wilson Blaylock announces the guilty plea and sentencing of Robert Alan Peak
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman County District Attorney Wilson Blaylock announced that Robert Alan Peak was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to seven felonies and one misdemeanor, including his 2021 escape from the Cullman County Detention Center.
“I am proud...
Rep. Harbison discusses support of constitutional carry bill HB44
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - In the new legislative session for the Alabama House of Representatives, many leaders across the state have been divided over a proposed constitutional carry bill. HB44 was introduced to eliminate the need for permits to carry concealed firearms in Alabama, and...
Attorney General Steve Marshall wins injunction against Biden attempts to mandate vaccines through Head Start program
MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Saturday that a federal court granted Alabama’s motion for an injunction against Biden’s order that seeks to require Head Start program employees and volunteers to vaccinate against COVID and children as young as two-years-old to wear face masks...
Attorney General Steve Marshall files lawsuit to block Biden vaccine and mask mandates for Head Start employees and students
MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Attorney General Steve Marshall filed a lawsuit Tuesday to block the Biden administration’s Head Start mandate for program employees to vaccinate against COVID, and for pre-school pupils to wear face masks, or risk all federal funding.
Two of Alabama’s state agencies—the Alabama Department of...
Making the highway safer
CULLMAN, Ala. - Alabama’s interstate highways are known to be among the busiest thoroughfares in the nation for human trafficking, but a coalition including the Cullman County Human Trafficking Task Force is taking a direct approach to making change. Members of the local task...
Attorney General Steve Marshall wins nationwide injunction against Biden’s healthcare-worker vaccine mandate
MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Attorney General Steve Marshall announced a court victory against President Biden’s healthcare-worker vaccine mandate as a federal court granted his motion to block the sweeping and illegal healthcare-worker vaccine mandate.
Tuesday, the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana granted a...
Attorney General Steve Marshall defends free speech and religious rights of embattled cakebaker Jack Phillips
MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has filed an amicus brief supporting the free speech right of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Colorado to decline to create a custom cake celebrating a gender transition.
Jack Phillips is a devout Christian who makes custom cakes at his family-owned...
Cullman County District Attorney Wilson Blaylock and Sheriff Matt Gentry announce the arrests of two individuals for the theft of public funds from the town of Garden City
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman County District Attorney Wilson Blaylock and Sheriff Matt Gentry announce that Shannon James and Leslie Johnson have been arrested on felony charges concerning the theft of public funds from the Town of Garden City.
The arrests come after a nearly three-month...
Cullman County District Attorney Wilson Blaylock announces the sentencing of convicted child rapist Wade Allen Waldrop
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman County District Attorney Wilson Blaylock recently announced that Wade Allen Waldrop was sentenced to a maximum of 119 years in prison by Circuit Judge Martha Williams on November 9, 2021, as a result of his rape 1st degree and sex...
Attorney General Steve Marshall challenges Biden’s private-employer vaccine mandate
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Attorney General Steve Marshall filed a legal challenge Friday to block President Biden’s private-employer vaccine mandate. The petition for review was filed in the Eleventh Circuit immediately after the rule was formally published Friday morning.
First announced on September 9 by Biden,...
Jury finds Stephens guilty in Cullman County Court
CULLMAN, Ala. - A man was found guilty on Tuesday following a one-day jury trial in the Cullman County Circuit Court for failing to register with local law enforcement as a sex offender.
Cullman County District Attorney Wilson Blaylock announced that Nathan Winston Stephens was...
Andrew Maresh found guilty for the murder of Daniel Ray Osborn, II
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman County District Attorney Wilson Blaylock announced in a press release on Thursday that Andrew Jacob Maresh was found guilty after a three-day jury trial in the Cullman County Circuit Court for the murder of Daniel Ray Osborn, II.
“Our thoughts and...
Attorney General Steve Marshall warns President Biden to drop illegal vaccine mandate or face lawsuit
MONTGOMERY, Ala. —Attorney General Steve Marshall warned President Joe Biden that he will face a lawsuit if his administration proceeds with his mandate that private-sector employees either get a COVID-19 shot, submit to weekly testing or be fired. Attorney General Marshall joined a coalition...
Attorney General Steve Marshall leads 17 states in Supreme Court brief supporting religious charity’s right to hire people who share its faith
MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Attorney General Steve Marshall led a coalition of 17 states in filing a brief Thursday before the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the religious liberty of Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. The Mission is seeking Supreme Court review of a recent ruling by...
Attorney General Steve Marshall leads 17 states in Supreme Court brief supporting religious charity’s right to hire people who share its faith
MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Attorney General Steve Marshall led a coalition of 17 states in filing a brief Thursday before the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the religious liberty of Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. The Mission is seeking Supreme Court review of a recent ruling by...
‘Stand your ground’
CULLMAN, Ala. – Kenneth Don Malone, 60, of Guntersville, was cleared of murder and manslaughter charges Tuesday in the shooting death of Joshua Adam White, 35, also of Guntersville. The shooting happened on Monday, July 16, 2018 at a residence in the New Canaan...
Attorney General Steve Marshall announces $3 million settlement with Tyson over Mulberry Fork spill
MONTGOMERY, Ala. —Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Wednesday a $3 million State settlement with Tyson Farms Inc. over the 2019 wastewater spill in Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River.
The settlement agreement, filed in the Circuit Court of Walker County, brings an end to...
Double murder defendant returning to Cullman for competency hearing
CULLMAN, Ala. - Double murder defendant Sara Tapia-Franco, 34, of Holly Pond, this week was ordered to be transferred from state mental health facility Bryce Hospital to the Cullman County Detention Center for an upcoming competency hearing. Tapia-Franco was indicted in 2020 on capital...
Tyson now faces nine lawsuits over 2019 Hanceville plant spill
HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Over two years have passed since a June 6, 2019, spill at the Tyson Farms/River Valley Ingredients rendering plant near Hanceville triggered a large fish kill on the Mulberry Fork that extended down to the Sipsey River in Walker County. That...
Appeals Court rejects sentence in Meeks homicide conviction
CULLMAN, Ala. - An Alabama appellate court, in a preliminary statement, upheld the conviction of Brad Meeks, 30, of Bremen, on the charge of criminally negligent homicide in the May 7, 2017, death of Curtis “Curt” James Wilson, 15, of Cullman, but rejected the...
Flanigan pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2016 drug death
CULLMAN, Ala. - Jerome Anthony Flanigan, 39, of Cullman, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to reckless manslaughter in the 2016 drug-related death of Leslie Clements. Flanigan had been indicted on charges of murder by administration of a controlled substance with alternate charges of murder by...
Thursby’s charges upgraded in 2016 murder case
CULLMAN, Ala. — Kayla Thursby, 34, of Cullman, was re-arrested this week after a Cullman County grand jury upgraded charges against her in the 2016 death of Leslie Clements. Originally charged in 2018 with murder by strangulation or suffocation and first-degree theft of property,...
Flanigan acquitted of arson in murder case
CULLMAN, Ala. — Jerome Flanigan, 39, of Cullman, was acquitted of the charge of arson in the 2016 death of Leslie Clements, but continues to face murder charges, as does co-defendant Kayla Thursby.
Flanigan had been indicted on charges of murder by administration of a...
Reckless murder indictment issued in 2020 Battleground shooting
CULLMAN, Ala. - A Cullman County Grand Jury on Tuesday indicted Christian Alexander Shane Lewter, 22, of Vinemont, with reckless murder in the August 2020 shooting death of Tazz Michael Wynn in the Battleground Community. The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office took Lewter into custody...
Attorney General Steve Marshall hails Supreme Court victory in religious freedom case supported by Alabama
MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Attorney General Steve Marshall hailed a unanimous decision by the U.S. Supreme Court Thursday, in a lawsuit supported by Alabama, upholding the right of Catholic Social Services to assist in Philadelphia’s foster care system without having to surrender the group’s religious beliefs.
“Alabama and...
Attorney General Steve Marshall announces court win against Biden administration that lifts ban on new oil and gas drilling on federal lands
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that in response to a lawsuit filed by Alabama and 12 other states, a U.S. District Court in Louisiana has ordered the Biden administration to lift its ban on all new oil and gas leasing and...
Driver indicted, arrested in deadly 2020 Cullman crash
CULLMAN, Ala. - Angelica Denise Ruffin, 38, of Huntsville, a driver involved in a deadly crash at the intersection of U.S. Highway 278 and State Road 157 on June 7, 2020, was arrested over the weekend and charged with reckless murder, reckless manslaughter, and...
Cullman area legislators Stadthagen, Gudger commended by Republican Party for conservative legislation
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Cullman area legislators State Sen. Garlan Gudger and State Rep. Scott Stadthagen last week received the Alabama Republican Party’s Chairman’s Commendation for their support of conservative party values through the sponsorship of a bill requiring athletes in gender-specific sports events to...
Gov. Ivey awards grant to help crime victims navigate the court system
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $475,016 grant to help Alabama crime victims better navigate the judicial system.
The grant to the state Office of Prosecution Services will help maintain certified victim service officers throughout the state and continue its use of...
AG Marshall joins 13-state coalition in suit to stop Biden’s ban on new oil and gas drilling on federal lands
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Attorney General Steve Marshall joined 12 other state attorneys general in filing suit Wednesday to block the Biden administration's ban on all future oil and gas leasing and drilling permits on federal lands.
“Seven days after President Biden was sworn into office,...
Foundation: ‘Don’t discriminate against religious schools
Foundation for Moral Law
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Foundation for Moral Law, an Alabama-based nonprofit dedicated to the defense of religious liberty, filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court urging the Court to end discrimination against religious schools.
The State of Maine provides tuition...
Marshall, Aderholt file suit against federal government
Suit claims illegal manipulation and delaying of census data
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, U.S. Representative Robert Aderholt, R- Alabama and two other Alabama voters filed suit against the U.S. Department of Commerce “over its decisions to manipulate census data that will...
Cullman County Circuit Clerk’s Office passes 2015-2020 financial audit
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman County Circuit Clerk Lisa McSwain reported this week that her office received a clean financial audit report from the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts. The audit examined funds collected and disbursed by the clerk’s office.
According to Chief Examiner...
2 former AL public school superintendents among 6 charged with fraud related to virtual education
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - On Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, six individuals appeared in court after being indicted on charges related to the fraudulent enrollment of students in Alabama virtual schools, announced United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr., FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp,...
Hanceville man charged with murder in DUI death
Updated 1-22-21 1:33 p.m.
CULLMAN, Ala. - A Hanceville man was arrested Jan. 15 after being indicted on six counts by a Cullman County grand jury for his role in the vehicle crash that caused the death of a 16-year-old girl from Arab.
According to court...
Looney sentenced to 99 years for attempted murder of Lt. Rex Sorrow
Updated 1-7-21 3:08 p.m.
CULLMAN, Ala. – Rodney Deland Looney, 48, of Cullman County on Thursday was sentenced to 99 years in prison by Cullman County Circuit Court Judge Gregory Nicholas for the 2016 attempted murder of Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Lt. Rex Sorrow....
Justice Dept. files lawsuit against State of AL for unconstitutional conditions in State’s prisons for men
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday filed suit against the State of Alabama and the Alabama Department of Corrections. The complaint alleges that the conditions at Alabama’s prisons for men violate the Constitution because Alabama fails to provide adequate protection...
Cullman County Courts: Dec. 14 jury trial docket postponed
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman County Presiding Judge Gregory Nicholas on Wednesday issued an order postponing the Dec. 14, 2020 jury trial docket until a later time due to COVID concerns.
A press release issued with the order reads:
After conducting three successful jury sessions since jury...
Woods pleads guilty to lesser charges in human trafficking cases, released with time served
CULLMAN, Ala. - Kenneth Loyd Woods, 53, of Fairview, indicted in 2017 for multiple counts of human trafficking and other crimes, was released Friday, Nov. 20 following a plea deal worked out between defense attorney Alex Chaney and Cullman County Deputy District Attorney John...
Cullman man sentenced to life in prison for 2019 murder in Fayette Co.
FAYETTE COUNTY, Ala. — A Cullman man has been sentenced to life in prison for a 2019 murder in Fayette County. Fayette County District Attorney Andy Hamlin on Friday announced the sentencing of Blue Berry Hill, 19.
According to a media release from Hamlin’s office,...
AG Marshall announces $60M settlement with Terminix over illegal business practices targeting Alabamians
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Attorney General Steve Marshall on Thursday announced a historic $60 million State settlement with Terminix International in response to the company’s alleged illegal business practices targeting Alabama consumers. A statewide fund for consumer relief will be created to address Alabama consumer...
Cullman man indicted for attempted murder
CULLMAN, Ala. - Charles Chase Thomas, 29, of Cullman was arrested this week after being indicted by a grand jury in September for attempted murder in the alleged attempted suffocation of Owain Bates. Thomas was arrested in January and initially charged with first-degree assault.
Shelbie...
(Updated) Cullman Co. man found guilty of attempted murder of sheriff’s deputy
Updated 10-21-20 at 6:51 p.m.
CULLMAN, Ala. - Early Wednesday afternoon, Rodney Deland Looney, 48, of Cullman County was found guilty of the 2016 attempted murder of Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Lt. Rex Sorrow. Looney’s mental state was an issue in the trial and...
Operation Safe Families initiative to combat domestic violence in Alabama
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona on Tuesday announced Operation Safe Families, a new initiative to fight domestic violence in the Northern District of Alabama. Through Operation Safe Families, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will work with federal, state, and local law enforcement...
Singleton pleads guilty in $365K theft from Cullman County Fair Association
CULLMAN, Ala. – Stephen L. Singleton, 72, of Cullman, who was charged in February 2020 with the theft of more than $200,000 from the Cullman County Fair Association, recently pleaded guilty to the more serious of two counts levied against him, seeing the lesser...
Cullman Co. convicted rapist up for parole weeks after being sentenced on new felony charges
Updated 9-29-20 at 5:19 p.m.: Davis' parole was denied.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - David Allen Davis, 31, whose court record indicates addresses in Cullman and Vinemont, will receive a parole hearing before the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles in Montgomery Sept. 29, 25 days after...
Rape trial for Hanceville man ends in hung jury
CULLMAN, Ala. - The first-degree rape trial of Wade Allen Waldrop ended in a hung jury late Wednesday afternoon, meaning that the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. According to a source at the Cullman County Courthouse, the case will return to the...
Called to order: Cullman County Courts return to in-person jury trials with COVID-19 safety procedures in place
Updated 9-16-20 at 10:50 a.m.
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman County Circuit Court on Monday began juror selection in its first in-person jury trial since March, with special measures in place to deal with COVID-19 safety and social distancing requirements.
Circuit Clerk Lisa McSwain told The Tribune...
Cullman County courts lay out new jury procedures
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman County Presiding Judge Gregory Nicholas, after announcing last week that jury trials would resume the week of Sept. 14 with new COVID-19 safety procedures, released a brief video addressing prospective jurors along with the court’s administrative order laying out new...
Cullman Courts to resume jury trials week of Sept. 14 with new COVID-19 safety procedures
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman County Courts announced Friday that, starting in September, jury trials will resume with new procedures in place to decrease the chances of courtroom exposure to COVID-19. A statement issued by the court late Friday afternoon reads:
After adopting new procedures designed...
Birmingham man indicted for fraud on fallen Huntsville Police officer’s memorial fund
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment last week charging a Birmingham man with fraud on customers of the U.S. Postal Service, and fraud on the memorial fund set up to provide aid to the family of a fallen Huntsville Police...
Federal grand jury indicts 2 for kidnapping resulting in death of 3-year-old Kamille ‘Cupcake’ McKinney
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted two people for kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap a minor victim, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.
Separate indictments filed in U.S. District...
U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town announces departure from U.S. Attorney’s Office
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town announced Friday that he will resign from the Department of Justice, effective Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at midnight.
“After much thoughtful prayer and great personal consideration, I have made the decision to resign as the United States...
Biggs to serve 5 years in DUI deaths of Bremen mother, daughter Tonya and Rhianna Busbee
CULLMAN, Ala. - Jonathan Biggs, 56, of Dayton, Ohio, who was charged with two counts of reckless murder in the 2017 deaths of Tonya Busbee, 34, and her daughter Rhianna Busbee, 13, of Bremen, pleaded guilty to reduced charges of manslaughter June 26. Additional...
Autwell pleads guilty in 2018 crash that killed Hanceville woman
CULLMAN, Ala. - Terry Autwell, 28, of Hanceville, pleaded guilty earlier this month to a charge of criminally negligent homicide in the Dec. 10, 2018 vehicle crash at the intersection of Cherokee Avenue and 24th Street Southwest that claimed the life of April Dawn...
Courts: Brad Meeks appeals conviction in death of Curt Wilson
CULLMAN, Ala. - Bradford Neal Meeks on June 8 submitted a handwritten request to the Cullman County Circuit Court for an appeal of his conviction in the 2017 drunk driving death of Curt Wilson, then 15. Meeks was convicted in January of criminally negligent...
Madison man indicted for possessing pipe bomb
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted a Madison man for possessing a pipe bomb, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acting Special Agent in Charge Frank Haera.
A three-count indictment filed in U.S....
Cullman courts to return to limited in-person proceedings May 18
CULLMAN, Ala. - On Wednesday, May 13, the Alabama Supreme Court authorized presiding judges in each circuit across the state to reopen courtrooms for in-person proceedings other than jury trials, and to determine for themselves the schedules and regulations for reopening. Later the same...
(Update) Brad Meeks sentenced to 12 years in death of Curt Wilson, injury of Ashley Wilson
Updated 5-14-20 at 1:36 p.m.
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman County Circuit Court Judge Gregory Nicholas on Tuesday sentenced Bradford Neal Meeks to 12 years in prison for the May 7, 2017 head-on crash that killed 15-year-old Cullman High School student Curtis James “Curt” Wilson and...
Tyson now facing 5 local, state, federal actions over Hanceville plant spill
HANCEVILLE, Ala. - Almost a year has passed since a June 6, 2019 spill at the Tyson Farms/River Valley Ingredients rendering plant near Hanceville triggered a large fish kill on the Mulberry Fork that extended down to the Sipsey River in Walker County. The...
(Updated) Lawsuit filed against Tyson over 2019 spills
JASPER, Ala. - Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall on Wednesday filed a lawsuit in the Walker County Circuit Court on behalf of the State, Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) against Tyson Foods over two spills...
Tyson responds to filing of lawsuit by AL attorney general
CULLMAN, Ala. - Tyson Foods on Thursday issued a response to the lawsuit filed Wednesday by the Alabama Attorney General’s Office over two spills that occurred at the company’s River Valley Ingredients plant near Hanceville in May and June of last year. The suit...
Breaking News: AL attorney general files suit against Tyson over 2 2019 Mulberry Fork spills
JASPER, Ala. - Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall on Wednesday filed a lawsuit in the Walker County Circuit Court on behalf of the State, Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) against Tyson Foods over two spills...
COVID-19: Updated Cullman Municipal Court information
CULLMAN MUNICIPAL COURT | COVID-19 INFORMATION
(UPDATED 4-22-2020)
RESCHEDULED COURT DATES
All cases set for April 15, 2020 have been reset to May 6, 2020 at 3:00pm.
All cases set for April 16, 2020 have been reset to May 7, 2020 at 3:00pm.
All cases...
Cullman Courts using technology for virtual hearings
CULLMAN, Ala. - During the COVID-19 shutdown, crime and civil problems continue, and so must the courts. On April 6, Cullman County Presiding Judge Gregory Nicholas issued an administrative order governing how the courts can proceed with their business while maintaining social distance through...
Cullman County Courts issue instructions for child visitation/custody issues during state health emergency
CULLMAN, Ala. - Recently, Cullman County Presiding Judge Gregory Nicholas issued an administrative order governing child custody and visitation issues during the state-declared public health emergency. Main points of the order include:
Visitation and custody exchanges are to continue unless sufficient evidence exists to show...
Despite some Courthouse closures, courts remain open for business
MONTGOMERY, Ala.
- While many courthouses throughout the state are shuttering as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic, the Courts in Alabama remain open for business. Leaders of
the Alabama State Bar are working in close coordination with the Supreme Court
of Alabama, the Administrative Office of Courts,...
COVID-19: Cullman Courts clarify postponed cases
CULLMAN, Ala. - After the Alabama Supreme Court issued an order postponing most court activities across the state (see
www.cullmantribune.com/2020/03/14/al-supreme-court-suspends-in-person-court-proceedings-statewide-most-local-cases-continued), Cullman County’s courts issued this statement Sunday evening to help clarify what that order means for local cases:
Subject to a very few exceptions, most cases...
BREAKING NEWS: Chad Floyd appointed new Cullman County district judge
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman County Attorney Chad Floyd has been appointed by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey as Cullman County District Judge, Place 1. Ivey’s Press Secretary Gina Maiola made the announcement Friday.
“The governor has appointed Chad Floyd to serve as Cullman County District Judge,...
Courts developing plan to continue operation in emergencies
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama judicial authorities on Wednesday instructed courts across the state to begin developing a contingency plan to maintain court operations in the event that an emergency disrupts local government operations.
Circuit Judge Gregory Nicholas, presiding judge of the Cullman County court system,...
(Updated) Alabama Court of the Judiciary issues final judgement in case of District Judge Kim Chaney
Updated 2-25-20 at 6:43 p.m. with a copy of the Cullman County Bar resolution supporting Judge Kim Chaney. See the bottom of this article to read the resolution in full.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - In a hearing Monday afternoon in Montgomery, retired Cullman District Judge Kim...
(Update) Formal ethics complaint preceded Chaney’s retirement from District Court
CULLMAN, Ala. - State court documents filed eight days before Cullman County District Judge Kim Chaney officially retired Feb. 15, 2020 indicate he is now the subject of a formal ethics complaint filed by the Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC, a commission on which...
(Updated) Cullman Judge Kim Chaney announces retirement
LATEST: https://www.cullmantribune.com/2020/02/19/update-formal-ethics-complaint-preceded-chaneys-retirement-from-district-court/
Updated 2-18-20 5:25 p.m.
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman County District Judge Kim Chaney of the 32nd Judicial Circuit, State of Alabama, on Tuesday announced his retirement from the court after 27 years on the bench. Chaney sent a letter to the court announcing his...
Firearm-free Frog Festival?
SUMITON, Ala. - Cullman attorney Champ Crocker on Feb. 6, 2020 filed a lawsuit against Sumiton Mayor Petey Ellis on behalf of BamaCarry, Inc., a statewide pro-Second Amendment organization, over the City of Sumiton’s exclusion of firearms from its annual “Frog Festival” celebration, which...
(Updated) Brad Meeks guilty of lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide in death of Curtis Wilson
Updated 1/30/20 7:51 p.m.
CULLMAN, Ala. - A Cullman County jury convicted Bradford Neal Meeks, 29, of Bremen of criminally negligent homicide in the May 7, 2017 death of Curtis “Curt” James Wilson, 15, of Cullman. Meeks faced a charge of reckless murder, a Class...
Testimony enters 2nd day in Brad Meeks trial
Edited Jan. 30, 3:03 p.m. to correct "The paramedic admitted that severe low blood sugar could cause a person to smell like alcohol but added that a blood test conducted on Meeks showed a normal blood sugar level." to "The paramedic admitted that severe...
Emotional first day of testimony in trial of Brad Meeks
CULLMAN, Ala. - After a marathon session to seat a jury Monday, the trial of Bremen resident Bradford Neal Meeks, 29, in the May 2017 death of Cullman High School student Curtis “Curt” James Wilson, 15, got underway Tuesday morning at the Cullman County...
Jury seated in trial of man charged with reckless murder in Cullman student’s death
CULLMAN, Ala. - After a marathon “voir dire,” or jury selection process, that began Monday morning, a jury was officially seated at 7:01 p.m. Monday evening in the trial of Bradford Neal Meeks, 29, of Bremen.
Meeks is charged in the May 7, 2017 death...
Cullman man gets more than 24 years in prison for methamphetamine crimes (updated with photo)
Updated with photo 1-16-20 8:16 p.m.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge on Thursday sentenced two men involved in a methamphetamine conspiracy to prison sentences ranging from 12 years to 24 years, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town; Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in...
Attorneys seek expert mental examination of Baileyton double murder defendant
CULLMAN, Ala. - On Monday Johnny Berry and Brandon Little, attorneys for Sara Tapia-Franco, the Baileyton mother accused of murdering two of her children Oct. 12, 2019, filed a motion requesting funds from Cullman County District Court to hire a mental health expert to...
CASE CLOSED: Ballenger pleads guilty to felony murder in death of Baby Hoss, receives 40 years
CULLMAN, Ala. – It’s the end of a tragic case that began more than five years ago, when 1-year-old Hoss Benham was pronounced dead on his first birthday. Crystial Vialonda Ballenger, 28, of Cullman pleaded guilty Thursday to felony murder in the death of...
In trial 4, Jack Wilson convicted of assault
CULLMAN, Ala. - A Cullman County jury returned a guilty verdict against Jack Harold Wilson, 74, of Bremen Wednesday during his fourth trial appearance in the shooting of his neighbor. Originally charged with attempted murder and previously acquitted of that charge, Wilson was convicted...
Jason McCurry acquitted in 2016 sex abuse case
CULLMAN, Ala. - A Cullman County jury on Wednesday found Jason Allen McCurry, 41, of Russellville not guilty on all charges in a 2016 sex abuse case involving a child younger than 12.
McCurry was indicted in October 2016 on charges of sexual abuse of...
Court dog Brooksie goes to 1st jury trial
CULLMAN, Ala. - On Monday afternoon, Cullman’s court dog Brooksie took the stand in her first jury trial, a child abuse case in which the alleged victim, a minor, had to testify as a witness. According to court officials, the dog was brought into...
GUILTY: Brown pleads to reduced charge in death of Baby Hoss, receives 40 years
CULLMAN, Ala. - Jeffery Hugh Brown, 43, of Vinemont pleaded guilty Friday to felony murder in the death of 1-year-old Hoss Benham, who died in March 2014. The charge was reduced from capital murder of a child under 14 years of age, taking the...
