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murder

Public safety

A gruesome murder should point Montgomery in a new direction

The city didn’t arrive overnight at a place where 16-year-old girls are drinking smoothies after a gruesome murder, and the road out of it won’t be a short one either.
October 29, 2020

This is America

I once was racially profiled by a police officer. This was a number of years ago. My wife and I were on our way to work (we both worked at The Birmingham News then). I was in a coat and tie, so this was before the newspaper relaxed its dress code. We crossed under a … Continued
September 3, 2020

Is there really ever “a time to kill?”

Many years ago, as a younger lawyer, I was crossing the street to the Courthouse when I met a familiar black woman. We exchanged pleasantries, and she flattered me. “You sure do look like that lawyer on that movie, ‘A Time to Kill.’” I appreciated the compliment, though I’m not sure how Matthew McConaughey, who … Continued
June 18, 2020

A tunnel too far?

My colleague Josh Moon last week wrote a truthful (if scathing) column about the legacy of former governor George C. Wallace. After laying out his case about how Wallace used racism as a political prop, Moon ended the column this way: “And that is why George Wallace’s name shouldn’t be on any public building.” I agree. … Continued
June 18, 2020

Black Lives Matter rally scheduled for Saturday in Huntsville

A rally for Black Lives Matter is being held at Huntsville’s Big Spring Park on Saturday, June 20, at 4 p.m., sponsored by North Alabama Area Labor Council. “The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota in late May has sparked protests and uprisings across the country,” said the organization in a press release. “This … Continued
June 15, 2020

Alabama Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action react to shootings in Valhermoso Springs

The Alabama chapter of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, on Friday released statements in response to reports of a shooting in Valhermoso Springs that left seven people dead. “This is another sad reminder of the continued toll that gun violence is taking on Alabamian families,” … Continued
June 8, 2020

Murder victims in Morgan County identified

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Department identified six of the seven people who were found shot to death in a burning home in rural Morgan County late Thursday night. Six of the victims were adults and the seventh is a 17-year-old girl. The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office released a statement Friday afternoon with the identities of … Continued
June 8, 2020

“A horrific scene”: Seven found dead after Morgan County shooting

Seven people were found dead in a horrific scene at a home in rural Morgan County late Thursday night after gunshots were reported. The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office Friday morning said its deputies responded to the scene Thursday night. At approximately 11:23 p.m. deputies responded to a gunshots call in the 500 block of Talacuh … Continued
June 5, 2020

Moody police officer shot and killed in the line of duty

Moody Police Sergeant Stephen Williams was shot and killed Tuesday in the line of duty at the Super 8 Motel on Highway 411, multiple news outlets have reported. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a statement in response to the officer’s death. “I am deeply saddened to hear Sergeant Stephen Williams was killed in the line … Continued
June 3, 2020