(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...
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...
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...
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 County father pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2017 shooting death of son
CULLMAN, Ala. - Jones Chapel man Donald Wayne Trammell, 44, on Thursday pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the Dec. 24, 2017 shooting death of his son, Logan Wayne Trammell, 22. The plea was entered in the court of Cullman County Circuit Judge Gregory Nicholas....
‘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...
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...
The wheels of justice: active homicide cases in Cullman County, part 2
Editor’s note: All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty.
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Tribune continues its review of pending homicide cases in Cullman County, and reports on their current status and actions taken this year.
Bradford Neal Meeks - reckless murder of Curt Wilson in...
(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...
Cullman courts are going to the dogs!
Alabama a national leader in use of facility dogs to ease stress in courts; coming to Cullman soon
MONTGOMERY
- Alabama’s courts are going to the dogs at an ever-increasing rate,
and it’s a great thing! Referred to as “facility dogs,” these specially
trained canine...
(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...
Out on bond: What has ‘free bail’ meant for Cullman County?
CULLMAN, Ala. - Since the institution of a federal judge’s injunction against Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry last fall, an injunction which requires him to “release all bail-eligible defendants on unsecured (non-monetary) appearance bonds,” the rate of suspects failing to show up for court...
The wheels of justice: active homicide cases in Cullman County, part 1
Editor’s note: All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty.
CULLMAN, Ala. - It has been said that the wheels of justice turn slowly, and Cullman County is no exception, with active homicide cases dating back to 2013, based on incidents back to 2012. The...
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...
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...
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...
(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...
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...
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,...
(Updated) Former AL Senate Majority Leader Zeb Little pleads guilty to 1st-degree theft of property
Updated 9-24-19 11:47 a.m.
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman native and former Alabama Senate Majority Leader Zebulon “Zeb” Little, 51, pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of first-degree theft of property. According to Alabama Attorney Gen. Steve Marshall, whose office is handling the case, Little admitted...
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,...
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...
(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...
Fite pleads guilty to BUI, gets 2 years probation
WINSTON COUNTY, Ala. - William Jackson Fite, 23, of Decatur, the driver of the boat from which Kelsey Starling, 26, of Troy disappeared during a collision July 4, 2019 on Smith Lake, and who was charged with boating under the influence in the case, pleaded...
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...
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...
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...
Espy, Jr. pleads guilty to murder, Garner convicted of attempted murder
CULLMAN, Ala. - On Friday, Aug. 9, three days ahead of a trial scheduled on the Aug. 12, 2019 docket, Robert Gene Espy, Jr., 39, of Vinemont pleaded guilty to felony murder (murder committed during the commission of another crime, in this case burglary)...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
Case of man accused of killing Tommy Piper heading to grand jury with additional charges
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman County District Court, with Circuit Judge Gregory Nicholas as authorized acting district judge on behalf of District Judge Rusty Turner, on Monday found that probable cause exists to send the murder case of Charles Patrick Wayne Burgess to a Cullman...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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,...
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....
(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...
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...
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...
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...
Hanceville man indicted on murder charge in Aug. 2019 wreck
CULLMAN, Ala. – A Hanceville man was arrested Wednesday, Nov. 13 after being indicted by a Cullman County grand jury on charges of murder, manslaughter, reckless driving and driving in the left center lane. The charges against Jacolby Connway Pitts, 31, stem from the...
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...
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...
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...
(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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Hanceville man convicted in 35-year-old sex abuse case
Updated 6-12-19 6:52 p.m.
CULLMAN, Ala. - Hanceville area resident Glen Leon Yarbrough, 78, on Wednesday was found guilty of one count of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old. The conviction stems from accusations brought forth in 2018 for incidents that...
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...
Meet Brooksie, the Cullman County Courthouse’s new facility dog
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Cullman County Courthouse on Monday officially welcomed its newest officer, Brooksie, a 2-year-old female labradoodle trained by Service Dogs Alabama (SDA).
SDA head trainer Ashley Taylor, who delivered Brooksie to Circuit Judge Gregory Nicholas Monday afternoon, told The Tribune:
“She’s fully trained. ...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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 Veterans Treatment Court gets underway today
CULLMAN, Ala. - As of Thursday morning, Cullman County’s court system now gives veterans who struggle with the mental and emotional aftermath of their service a new means to deal with issues faced by many who have been to war, and which contribute to...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Crane Hill couple sentenced to prison for payroll tax fraud
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Crane Hill husband and wife were sentenced to 20 months collectively in prison Thursday for failing to pay over payroll taxes, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Jay E....
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...
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...
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...
Morgan County man who faked own death pleads guilty
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Morgan County man who faked his death pled guilty Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019 in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Rod Owens.
Jackson Matthew Hall, 28, of...
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 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...
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...
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...
Man who confronted Cullman City Council in 2021 sentenced for threatening lives of Arizona election officials
PHOENIX – The U.S. Department of Justice District of Arizona on Oct. 22, 2024, announced that Cullman resident Brian Ogstad has been sentenced to prison following threats made on the lives of election officials in Arizona in 2022. Ogstad issued the threats via social...
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...
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...
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...
Crane Hill man sentenced to 10 years in federal prison
CULLMAN, Ala. - United States District Judge Abdul K. Kallon sentenced Danny Ray Tucker, 51, of Crane Hill, on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 to 130 months, a little more than 10 years, in federal prison.
The sentence stems from a United States federal grand jury...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
