Another murder. I thought last night was too pretty a night to go killing anybody. This one apparently began with a call Wednesday about shots fired over near 1030 Cobb Avenue around 10:40 p.m.
The police found Carnell Hall, 46, of Anniston with several gunshot wounds a short distance away over at the 1000 block of West 15th Street.
He died about an hour later in the hospital.
Our breaking news links are free so here's the story.
This makes 10 murders in the city this year and 11 total in the county.
There wasn't really anything in the police report that would indicate why it happened. Anybody know anything about it?
No other violent crime briefs today!
I followed up on the city council's proposal regarding Anniston's police jurisdiction in today's paper.
Chief John Dryden and Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson both had some interesting input.
Dryden basically said they will be able to focus their efforts a bit more. Amerson said he was sort of expecting it.
The sheriff said it would be easier in the long run but there will be a real challenge in the short term.
"We will do our very best to protect the residents of those areas. We just ask for their patience while we adjust," said Amerson.
57 comments:
it is not possible to read the updates when the information is available as a link to staronline subscribers only. Is it not possible to copy and paste the information?
Oh my gosh, the sheriff will be whining about how many deputies and how much more of the tax payers money he will need!!! What he needs to do is stop whining and judt DO WHAT WE ELECTED HIM TO DO,
WORK!
Do the citizens of calhoun county realize that the sheriff only has three deputies working at any given time for the WHOLE county.
I worked at the sheriff's dept. If you only knew how it was run you would not sleep at night without a gun beside you, NO way they can take more areas to protect. The deputies are already worked to death and have to put up with the HIGH SHERIFF!
I live in the Saks area and I am dreading the day when I have to depend on the County to protect me. I know some people who did and do work at the Sheriff's office and have told me how there is only about 2 or 3 deputies patroling the entire county at one time and how the Sheriff misuses his funds for more deputies on other positions for his own selfish needs. Therefore if I need help but the closest deputy is in Piedmont or White Plains then I will have to wait at least 20 to 30 mins. and everybody knows that a lot could occur in that amount of time. I understand that APD is short handed but I would still rather have to wait for them for 10 to 15 mins. and know that I will have less time to wait and possibly be protected better then have to rely on a department that is mismanaged and very political.
It is frightening to think about how much space deputies have to cover.
In Randolph, Clay and Cleburne there is only one on duty in each county some nights.
Well it did'nt take long for the sheriff to start crying wolf and trying to scare the citizens of calhoun county. What needs to happen now is someone needs to see who the overtime went too. They just might find out that a select few has been milking the over time dry. And there is no way some employees could have worked the amount of hours that they claim they did. But it all comes down to management. I know first hand.
If the Sheriff wanted to save money on fuel he could park all of the vehicles that are carried home by non certified officers and park those tanks that are only used for show, The Sheriff's Office the the most wasteful department in the county. Just wait until the people in Annistons Police Jurisdiction have too wait for hours for police protection.
I have a question? What does overtime payments have to do with laying off deputies? Just don't pay overtime.Problem SOLVED. And JUST THINK we elected him to be the Sheriff, what were we thinking!
I have never worked at the sheriff's office but have several friends who have. I consistently hear of misused funds, poor treatment of staff, deputy shortages and staff being used in areas where they are least needed than on our streets. Calhoun County has become a cesspool for crime. I have become fearful of venturing outside my home after dark. So, I ask what is the problem? Maybe some of our good citizens have some answers. We as a county need some help. Some of my suggestions are: Sheriff stop making excuses and find a solution. Stop arguing with commissioners and find a way to work with them. Stay in your office more and handle the job that you have given over to your chief deputy. By the way what is his salary including what you pay from your discretionary fund. Maybe his salary could hire more deputies. Why is he paid a deputies salary and also a salary to run the rehab center during the same work hours (by the way I hear that all total he makes almost as much as you do, Somewhere in the $70,000 range. Please correct me if I have heard this wrong. Is this called double dipping? Maybe we just need a new Sheriff who can handle the job and cares more about our county than he does being named president of the Sheriff's association.
Someone needs to investigate how certain people get payed and how much at the sheriffs dept. I believe the citizens have a right to know where and how the tax payers money is being spent.
This has gone on too long and the Anniston Star finally printed someyhing right in there opinion.
I could only hope the Star will take the lead and show how the tax payers money is really being spent. Epecially the funds from the sheriffs discretionary accounts.
Have you noticed that the sheriff always blames others for his woes at the sheriffs dept.He is NEVER at fault on any issue that comes up, its always the same excuses...I don't have enough money,I don't have enough deputies.The people of calhoun county deserve a sheriff who can do what it takes to get the job done.I'm personally tired of hearing his excuses.
The comment about the overtime at the S.O. is true. I know it to be fact but we were threatened with polygraphs if we spoke out about the sheriff. He talks a good game to the press but does just the opposite to his employees. The word of these blog post are spreading like wildfire with the employees at the sheriffs dept. Keep up the good work let the people know the truth.
Thanks Anniston Star!!!
The Anniston Star needs to investigate who has recieved the majority of the over time pay sense October and not just take Amersons word check with the County Commision.
The Sheriff said it was going to be a challenge to patrol APD's old jurisdiction. If the Sheriff AND the chief deputy would put a uniform on and get off of the T.V.and go to work and earn that $70 and $84,000 job would be a good start. Those of us who have worked for the S.O. know that will never happen unless a camera shows up to take his picture.
Question? Why has the Sheriff not taken the lead on curbing the crime in Anniston? He could do a lot, he is the chief law enforcement officer in the county. But he has his own agenda. All he worries about is being the President of the National Sheriffs assc. So he can get the free press. But tell me what thats going to do to curb the tide of violence in our county while our sheriff has his head buried in the sand.
It is sad that crime has become such a cancer on our county. The Meth problem is out of control. Drug sales are up you can buy drugs out in the open in most of the county. When are we going to stand up and do something. Besides threaten to lay off deputies. We can see where our sheriffs priorities are!
I was shocked to read the sheriff would even speak the words "lay-off" he is totally out touch with the residents of our county. With crime out of control in calhoun county we need answers not excuses.
In a time were crime in in our community is the highest in our history the sheriff threatens to layoff deputies because of his own mismanagement of his budget. We as deputies do the very best we can do with what we have to do with, it is not our fault. What we need is leadership.
This has become ridiculous,layoff deputies? I'M sorry but its not the deputies fault he can't manage his budget. Don't take it out on the deputies, take it out of the sheriffs salary, he makes $80,000+ a year. The county commission should hold his feet to the fire and make him responsible especially after all the greef he has dealt them over the years.
I am a former deputy sheriff of calhoun county and for the time I worked for the sheriff, the sheriff's office had a hugh turn-over rate because of the way employees are treated. I'm a grown man and I will not be cursed at, and down graded by a man like him. I now work for an agency in Jefferson County making much more money and treated like a human being. You have good deputies in calhoun county but the question is will THEY stay. He can't lay off deputies because he would have to go to work. Thats all hot-air to scare the county commission and the counties citizens.
Amerson is nothing more than a typical politician. If he knew as much about being a Sheriff as he does a politicain our crime rate would be down 90%.
I've read the comments and can say some if not most are true. I worked for the Sheriff for 3 years, and I know how he and his lackeys treat the employees at the S.O.. Thats why he can't keep people who really want to work. He won't let you do your job because he might lose a VOTE!
I know its election time and i wanna know who is planning on running for the sheriff of calhoun county ..I Hope that some1 runs and beats him. I hope that a certain person who ran agaist him before runs again with all of the problems that the sheriff's office is having i am sure he can win.anybody would be better than amberson or wade .
THIS IS THE KIND OF SHERIFF WE HAVE IN CALHOUN COUNTY HE WAS AT THE RELAY FOR LIFE AT OXFORD LAST FRI ....WHY WAS HE THERE LETS SEE I BET HE WAS TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR HIM CAUSE OXFORD DOESNT NEED HIM IN OXFORD..OXFORD POLICE COULD HANDLE ANYTHING THAT MIGHT WOULD HAD HAPPEN THERE WHY CAUSE THE OXFORD POLICE DEPT DOES THERE JOB AND PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF OXFORD
I would like to know where the overtime is going and what employees are getting it and how much they are getting? I think people would be shocked.
While attending JSU I worked for the Sheriff at the Calhoun County Jail as a corrections officer. While working in the jail I was really upset to see that the inmates really ran the jail not the staff. We were not supported in our actions of trying to maintain order and several fights resulted in officers and inmates injured. One inmate had to have treatments resulting in thousands of dollars in medical bills. We were told just keep your mouth shut. Check with the commission about medical bills they have the documentation to prove the fights.
I can't beleive this is permitted to continue. I have always wanted a career in law enforcement but if it is ran like that place, I want no part in it.
Thank you
JSU Student
The comments about the Chief Deputy making a salary as a deputy and also making a salary to run the drug rehab center at the same time, is this true? If it is, it's double dipping at its worst. Is it true the new mental health officer makes a salary as a deputy and a salary as the mental health officer? If so this is double dipping too! Why is this happening and why is it not stopped?
How did Anniston's 10th homicide become a problem of the Sheriff's?
The Sheriff's Office is repsonsible for the unincorporated portions of Calhoun County, and it has not had a homicide since October 2006. Good job Sheriff Amerson! Keep up the good work. Sounds like Anniston needs his leadership!
It sounds like the Sheriffs Office needs a good cleaning 14 years is way too long. You can never get him to return calls and you can never see him in the office. His secretary always says he's out of town or out of the office.
I was told by a friend about this blog on the Sheriffs Office, I worked in Amersons jail for almost 1 year. If this was a private business it would out of business in 6 months. The prisoners run the place and NO one in the admin will back up the employees. Prisoners will walk away, and we were told not to say anything to the press. They don't want the public to know. The escapes that have been covered was because people did'nt stay quiet.
One Deputy had to leave the S.O. after the first of the year because jewelry went missing from evidence from a burglary in piedmont,but as usual the sheriff and wade just covered it up. When ABI was called the jewelry turned up in a county vehicle.
Question, why is the Star not investigating the overtime budget and see how much overtime certain deputies(investigators)are getting?
This is tax payer monies. $500,000 and its only May.
If Sheriff Amerson can work such wonders in the county, then he needs to help the citizens of Anniston. He wants there help every four years to keep his beloved job!
Just wait until July 1 when he takes over the police jurisdiction of Anniston we will see how great and wonderful the high Sheriff is!
Anniston needs help on the west side and he could help. It's the same old story I'm resposible for the county not the city of Anniston Well if it was'nt for the cities vote the counties citizens would never elect him.
Anniston Police found the Bank robbers, but who held the press conference?
If Anniston had his(Amersons) leadership the ship would have already sunk! Chief Dryden can only do what he can with what he has. Amerson will not be able to control the police jurisdiction and the residences better be ready to wait and wait and wait for a deputy. Anniston will finally be able to focus on Anniston.
Poor Poor Larry, finally what goes around comes around. Way to go!
Anniston should already have Amersons leadership but of course he is not responsible for Anniston only the county.Wow the whole problem is the LACK OF LEADERDHIP we have'nt had any leadership in the county for 16 years. The next time the Sheriff comes asking for the cities votes tell him to go back to the county where he belongs and put someone in the office that can be a leader for the entire county not just the easy areas.
Anniston
As a former employee of the Sheriffs office for 3 years we were told not to stop violations in the cities and not to back-up city officers. I was told if I was caught eating lunch with a city officer I would be suspended without pay. Investigators are told not to work with the cities unless it would make the Sheriff look good. I ask you what kind of leadership is this. That is why I left. These are facts and I have the memos to prove it.
Anniston Police has much better leadership than this!!!
The comment about the S.O. not working with local law enforcement is very true. I was an Amerson Investigator and we were told never let Local investigators know that you have recovered property that was stolen from a city until the victim picked it up a the Sheriffs office, and the Sheriff got the credit for the recovery That is fact.
"Headline"
"COUNTY COMMISION GIVES SHERIFF ALL OF COUNTY TAX MONIES"
That is the only thing that would make Larry happy. What he needs to do is stop whining and do his job!
After working for Amerson for several years I have found that he likes to blame others for his mismanagement of his budget for instance the Chief Deputy being payed two salaries. The Deputies and the reserves drive worn out vehicles while he drive a new black SUV, why can't he drive what we deputies drive. His mental health officer drives a big SUV,he could drive a ford car also. His Chief Deputy drives a big black SUV, he could save money by driving deputies cars and just think of the fuel that could be saved. Not to mention the savings of the cost of the SUV's. And you will never convince me and other deputies that the Ford f250 trucks get as good of gas mileage as a ford police car. But as usual knowone will call his hand and speak out because he is so revengeful.
I am very concerned with the Sheriff taking over the police jurisdiction of Anniston. I spoke to a Deputy on Thursday and they said if could take almost an hour for a deputy to get to a call. That is scary, I called to speak to the Sheriff but I was told he was busy. I hope this is not what will happen in July.
How do they think they are going to solve an "overtime issue" with layoffs? If they do layoff it would only mean that the deputies and officers still on duty will have to work more often [hence over-time] in order to cover the shortage of deputies.
What is the answer to the funding problems with the county?
The Sheriff wants to blame the County Commission, he always wants to blame someone else its never his fault. If he was a real leader he would quietly behind the scenes find a solution with the county and stay away from the blame game. But once you make the hand that feeds you mad you can forget working it out.
I have found after working for the county that if you say anything against the Sheriff he will go after you with everything he has to destroy you, or his cronies will.
I encourage the employees at the S.O. to finally speak out he can't fire us all!
Here is a tidbit of information a group of business owners in the county have been meeting quietly to find someone to run for sheriff in 2010. The whole thing is suppose to be very hush hush but word has leaked out. Several names have been mentioned but if they get the one they want, it will be a very intresting election! I guarantee you the sheriff will have some sleepless nights!!!
Stop the scare tactics and do what you were elected to do, you knew what the job intailed when you ran for it! If you can't handle it get out and stop the excuses and blame game. Calhoun County is SICK OF IT!
Piedmont
You say he is a great leader well leaders find solutions not make excuses and blame others for there problems.He was elected to provide leadership in law enforcement for all of calhoun county not just select areas. You say Anniston could use his leadership well they should have been recieving it for the past 16 years.
Anniston
I work at the court house and he is already trying to say he does'nt have enough deputies to cover security. Well he should not have gave up a deputy position to have a private secretary. Clerks at the S.O. can answer the phone and take a message. That could be a deputy at the court house or in a car patrolling.
When is the star going to do a story on the overtime funds?
I have never heard some of the things about the sheriffs office I had no idea it was like this.
Saks
By the comments I've read its time for a change. But why have'nt we heard more stories on the overtime issue. I see Anniston City Council has passed the ord. to pull back to the city linits. If the Sheriff is already over budget how will he pay for the coverage. I think he found out that people have caught on to his scheme to bleed more tax money from Calhoun County and is hoping the story will go away. Acually it sounds like he needs to go away.
Anniston
Oh my, I just read the comment on what does "Annistons murder #10 have to do with the Sheriff?"
What planet is this person living on? The Sheriff is suppose to take the lead on law enforcement in the entire county not just the unincorporated areas.
I have watched Calhoun Counties Most wanted on T.V. and I'M puzzled as to why the Murder Suspects or the Rapist has not been featured on the program?
After reading some of the comments from former and present employees I've been talking to some employees at the Sheriff's Office and they told me that the show is only supported by the Sheriff to keep his name in the public and make people think he is doing great and wonderful things. I tend to believe them. I never really thought about it until it was brought to my attention.
Violence victims will continue to go through RMC's doors until we get our heads out of the sand and start policing the problem.
Our Sheriff has his head buried so far in the sand and says its not his problem. Go figure!
Where is our leadership?
The meth problem continues to get worse in our area of the county and no one seems to be doing anything about it I've called the Sheriff's Office on more than one occasion and I get the usual response we are really busy.
I have read more reponses to the "Anniston Murder #10" and the Sheriffs Office than anything else on the blog why take it off?
Anniston
Also the Anniston Star should do a story on the Budget problem at the Sheriff's Office. Where did the money go and who got it?
There sure seems to be alot of whiny, ex employees of the Sheriff's office. I am amazed he got anything done.
The ex-employees who worked under Amerson aren't whiney they are just trying to let the public know how the sheriffs office is ran. Be glad that someone will speak the truth, unlike Amerson himself. Amerson is certainly a politician, he is good at making the public believe that he is running things smoothly, when in all actuality his ex-employees will tell you the FACTS. Some of the CURRENT employees would do the same if not in FEAR of losing their jobs. Maybe the county needs to keep that in mind when the next election comes around!
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