No AIDS murders, local law enforcement reports

It seems the tired AIDS Mary story has been making the rounds again, this time in the Star's circulation area.

It's an old tale that people are spreading AIDS intentionally, but this one has a decidedly local twist. Supposedly the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office has caught at least one person doing so, and charged them with attempted murder. To make it even better, supposedly the Star reported it.

A thorough check through our archives turned up no such story, and a talk with the sheriff disproved any recent AIDS case.

Sheriff Larry Amerson he said he hasn't heard of any attempted murder cases from intentionally spreading AIDS. In the past, his office had arrested a few people for knowingly spreading a disease, he said. Clarification: Amerson also said that those arrests were treated as assaults, not murders.

Captain Rick Sanford of the Anniston Police hadn't heard of any either. There had been some cases in the 80s when AIDS was much more terrifying, he said, but nothing recently.

Neither Lynn Hammond or Brian McVeigh, assistant district attorneys, had heard of any such case.

No charges filed yet on Anniston shooter

By Nick Cenegy
Staff Writer

04-19-2008

Charges are not likely to be filed for a while in the case of a 41-year-old man who allegedly shot the mother of his child to death before turning the gun on himself.

Police said Richard Tidwell, 41, of the 300 block of North Marshall Street, survived a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Investigators said Tidwell still was recovering from surgery Friday and they will formally charge him as soon as they feel he is well enough.

According to police reports, Tidwell and Tanya Grizzard, 29, of Anniston, were having an argument over their 2-month-old child outside Tidwell's residence when Tidwell allegedly shot Grizzard in the head at least three times with a small-caliber handgun.

Tidwell then shot himself once in the head, investigators said.

Grizzard was pronounced dead on the scene around 6 p.m.

Anniston man recovering from surgery after shooting

By Nick Cenegy
Staff Writer

04-18-2008

Police said the man who allegedly shot a 29-year-old woman to death during a domestic dispute Wednesday afternoon and later turned the gun on himself, was recovering from surgery Thursday afternoon at a Birmingham hospital.

Richard Tidwell, 41, of the 300 block of North Marshall Street, and Tanya Grizzard, 29, of Anniston were having an argument over their 2-month-old child outside of Tidwell's residence, when Tidwell allegedly shot Grizzard in the head at least three times with a small-caliber handgun, Anniston police reported.

Later, Tidwell shot himself once in the head, but he did not die from the wound, investigators said.

Police were called to the scene around 5:30 p.m. Grizzard was pronounced dead on the scene shortly after, said Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown.

Tidwell was transported to a hospital in Birmingham, where he underwent surgery for the better part of Thursday, police said.

The two were initially reported as having been married, but investigators said that was not true.

Court records show that Grizzard filed a protective order from abuse in Calhoun County courts against Tidwell in July 2006. That order expired in July 2007.

Tidwell will be charged with murder if he recovers, investigators said.

1 dead in Anniston shooting

By Nick Cenegy
Staff Writer

04-17-2008

A 30-year-old woman was shot to death and a man was in critical condition Wednesday night after an apparent murder and attempted suicide in Anniston.

Tanya Grizzard, 30, of Anniston, was shot multiple times in the head during a domestic dispute at her ex-husband's residence on the 300 block of North Marshall Street in west Anniston, said Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown.

Grizzard's ex-husband, Richard Tidwell, allegedly shot her with a small caliber handgun before turning it on himself, said Brown.

Authorities responded to an emergency call from a concerned friend around 5:30 p.m. Grizzard was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after, Brown said.

As of 9:30 p.m., Tidwell was in critical condition at a Birmingham hospital being treated for a gunshot wound to the head, said Brown.

Anniston police are investigating the cause of the dispute.

Arrest made in Hobson City shooting death

By Nick Cenegy
Staff Writer

04-09-2008

McGrue

A 21-year-old Anniston man was in Calhoun County Jail on Tuesday, charged with the April 1 murder of Broderick Few in Hobson City.

Gordon Raynard McGrue, 21, of Anniston was being held on $200,000 bond after Calhoun County Sheriff's deputies arrested him Thursday, two days after the murder.

Sheriff Larry Amerson said the office's investigation is continuing their efforts to filter through conflicting information given by witnesses and friends.

"At the moment it appears to have been a personal dispute," said Amerson. "One theory is that there was a relationship with a girl involved but there have been inconsistencies in what people have told us."

Amerson said there has been a lot of communication with the community that has helped them get as far as they have gotten, but there are still elements they are working out.

According to police reports, Few, 32, of Hobson City and a 29-year-old man from Munford were sitting on the porch of a house at 316 Wilkerson Ave., around 1:30 a.m. when gunfire erupted from the woods across the street.

Few was struck in the head and the 29-year-old in the leg.

Both were transported to Regional Medical Center, where Few died in surgery. The 29-year-old was treated and released.

Suspect in Anniston murders arrested

By Nick Cenegy
Staff Writer

04-08-2008

An Anniston business owner was in the Calhoun County Jail on Monday, charged with murdering two Anniston residents whose bodies were found in a burning house on Bancroft Avenue in Anniston.

Robert Clarence Ervin, 49, of Weaver was arrested late Friday morning and charged with capital murder in the shooting deaths of William Junior Nunn, 26, and Annette Spinks, 47, both of Anniston.

Ervin is an owner of Total Quality Auto Paint & Body Shop on Noble Street.

The bodies of Nunn and Spinks were found March 8 in a burned-out back room of the Bancroft Avenue house. Autopsies showed the two died of multiple gunshot wounds before they were burned beyond recognition.

Anniston police received reports around 9 a.m. on March 8 of a shooting at a residence on the 1400 block of Bancroft. When they arrived at the scene, they found the house burning. The bodies were found by firefighters in a back room. The initial police report listed the fire as arson.

Ervin is being held without bond awaiting a May 15 court date.

Anniston man charged with murder

By Andy Johns
Staff Writer

04-04-2008

Brown

An Anniston man was in the Calhoun County Jail on Thursday, charged with two counts of murder in a Tuesday shooting.

According to investigators, Kori Brown, 25, had been held by Anniston police for questioning since Wednesday in connection with the shooting deaths of Quondrecja Devon Woods and Demetrious Childs, both 31, of Anniston.

He was not arrested until later Wednesday after warrants were issued. Bail is set at $400,000.

Police responded to a call at 12th Street and Boynton Avenue around 8 p.m. Tuesday to find Woods dead in an alley. Childs died from his wounds around midnight at Regional Medical Center, said Brown.

Investigators said the incident stemmed from previous disputes.

Police have not recovered the gun that fired the shots. Brown is scheduled to appear in court on May 16.

Deputies seek leads in Hobson City shooting that killed 1, injured another

By Nick Cenegy
Staff Writer

Updated 1:25 p.m.

Sheriff's deputies today are investigating a shooting in Hobson City during the early morning hours Tuesday that took the life of one man and wounded another.

Broderick Few, 32, of Hobson City and a 29-year-old man from Munford were sitting on the porch of a house at 316 Wilkerson Ave., around 1:30 a.m. when gunfire erupted from the woods across the street, said Calhoun County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Matthew Wade.

According to reports, the gunfire struck Few in the head and the 29-year-old in the leg. Both were transported to Regional Medical Center, where Few died in surgery, said Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown.

The 29-year-old was treated and released, said Brown.

Wade said no arrests had been made this morning but investigators were still following up on leads.

Second man dies after Tuesday night shooting

From staff reports

Updated 8:52 a.m.

A second victim has died following a shooting Tuesday night near West 12th Street.

Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown said Demitrius Child, 31, of Anniston, died around midnight after surgery at Regional Medical Center.

Child was injured in a shooting that also killed Quondrecja Devon Woods, 31, of Anniston.

Anniston police responded to a report of shots fired near 12th Street and Boynton Avenue around 8 p.m.

When they arrived, they found Woods lying dead in an alley a short distance from the intersection of Crawford Avenue and 12th Streets, Brown said.

According to the coroner, Child was taken to RMC for treatment of gunshot wounds he sustained during the incident.

Woods was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds at 8:20 p.m., said Brown.

The events that led up to the shooting were under investigation by Anniston police Tuesday night. Brown said authorities believe the two men were shot by someone else, and had not shot at each other.

Several residents of the area said they knew the two men, but were unaware of what may have caused the shooting.

Anniston shooting leaves 1 dead, 1 in hospital

By Nick Cenegy
Staff Writer

04-02-2008

A shooting near West 12th Street in Anniston on Tuesday night left one man dead and another in the hospital. Anniston police responded to a report of shots fired near 12th and Boynton around 8 p.m. When they arrived, they found Quondrecja Devon Woods, 31, of Anniston lying dead in an alley a short distance from the intersection of Crawford and 12th streets, said Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown. According to the coroner, another man was taken to Regional Medical Center and was still in surgery at 10:30 p.m. for gunshot wounds he sustained during the incident. Woods was pronounced dead on scene from multiple gunshot wounds at 8:20 p.m., said Brown. The identity of the man being treated RMC was unknown, pending completion of police reports. The events that led up to the shooting were under investigation by Anniston police Tuesday night. Several residents of the area said they knew the two men, but were unaware of what may have caused the shooting.

Bodies found in burned home identified

By Nick Cenegy
Staff Writer

03-15-2008

Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown released the identities Friday morning of two bodies found March 8 in a burned-out back room at a house on Bancroft Avenue in Anniston. William Junior Nunn, 26, and Annette Spinks, 47, both of Anniston, were identified as the victims. They suffered multiple gunshot wounds before they were burned beyond recognition, Brown said. Betty Spinks, mother of Annette Spinks, said the family was devastated by her daughter's murder. "We're not coping well at all with this," she said. "She didn't do anything to anyone. Whoever did this to my child – I hope to God that they get them off the streets." Attempts Friday to reach Nunn's family were unsuccessful. An autopsy earlier this week at the Alabama Department of Forensics laboratory in Huntsville, evidence recovered at the scene, and dental records had to be used to identify the remains. Anniston police received reports around 9 a.m. March 9 of a shooting in the 1400 block of Bancroft. When they arrived at the scene, they found the house burning. The bodies were found by firefighters in a back room. Authorities say they suspected foul play from the beginning. The initial police report listed the fire as arson, and officials said from the beginning that they were treating the case as a homicide. Autopsy reports indicated that the two died from multiple gunshot wounds before the fire began. Spinks said her daughter was a friend and neighbor of Nunn but did not make any further comment on the incident. According to police, a man in a tan or champagne-colored Ford Explorer was seen at the house prior to the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call Anniston police at (256) 238-1800.

Calhoun County Coroner: Burned bodies were shot

From staff reports

03-13-2008

Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown confirmed Wednesday that two bodies found Saturday in a burning Bancroft Avenue house in Anniston were each shot multiple times and the victims died before the fire.

Brown said the coroner's office was close to identifying one of the victims Wednesday but was waiting for more information on the other.

Authorities say they suspected foul play from the beginning.

Anniston police received reports around 9 a.m. Saturday of a shooting in the 1400 block of Bancroft. When they arrived at the scene, they found the house burning. The bodies were found by firefighters in a back room. The initial police report listed the fire as arson.

Investigators originally said one body appeared to be female and one male, but the bodies were so badly burned they have been difficult to identify.

According to police, a white man in a tan or champagne-colored Ford Explorer was seen at the house prior to the incident.

Anniston police are treating the case as a homicide. Police ask for anyone with information to call investigators at (256) 238-1800.

Murder suspect surrenders to Anniston police

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

03-12-2008

A 19-year-old man surrendered Tuesday to police, who had sought him in connection with the shooting death of another man on Gurnee Avenue last week.

Anniston police charged Courtney Elston of Anniston with capital murder in the March 6 shooting death of Andre Patterson, also 19 of Anniston.

Police had been looking for Elston since Friday afternoon when a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Investigators believe Elston shot and killed Patterson as he rode on Gurnee Avenue between 28th and 30th streets with two other men in a 1995 Mercury Marquis just after 11 p.m.

The men reportedly had an altercation with Elston some time earlier, near where the shooting occurred, investigators said.

Police said the passengers heard gunshots and then noticed Patterson had been hit. The men drove to a residence on the 200 block of McArthur Drive and dialed 911, investigators said.

Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown said Patterson was killed instantly from at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead around 12:30 a.m.

According to investigators, the passengers in the car said they saw a man — believed to be Elston — get out of a small silver vehicle and fire the shots.

Warrant issued for murder suspect

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

03-08-2008

Police obtained a warrant Friday afternoon for Courtney Elston, 19, of Anniston, in connection with the shooting death Thursday night of another 19-year-old who was riding in a car on Gurnee Avenue.

The dead man is Andre Patterson of Anniston. The shooting took place between 28th and 30th streets.

Investigators spent the day Friday looking for Elston. They believe he fired shots into a 1995 Mercury Marquis just after 11 p.m. Thursday, killing Patterson instantly.

Two men were in the car with Patterson at the time of the shooting. Police said the passengers heard gunshots and then noticed Patterson had been hit. The men drove to a residence on the 200 block of McArthur Drive and dialed 911, investigators said.

Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown said Patterson was killed instantly from at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead around 12:30 a.m.

According to investigators, the passengers in the car said they saw a man — believed to be Elston — get out of a small silver vehicle and fire the shots.

The men reportedly had an altercation with Elston some time earlier, near where the shooting occurred, investigators said.

Brown said an autopsy will be conducted Sunday at the Alabama Department of Forensics lab in Huntsville.

Information sought in February homicide

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

03-04-2008

Investigators on Monday continued to search for leads in last month's assault-turned-murder of a 48-year-old Anniston man.

Terry Bates, whose last known address was a religious shelter on 38th Street in Anniston, died Feb. 22 from injuries he reportedly sustained in an assault 10 days earlier.

Bates told police he was walking sometime between midnight and 3 a.m. when three men came from around a house somewhere on 18th Street and attacked him, according to a police report taken at the hospital.

Bates managed to walk to a Laundromat at 1731 Wilmer Ave. where he called 911. He was treated at a local hospital for hemorrhaging caused by a broken jaw. He later died from his injuries.

Police are asking that anyone with information about Bates or the attack call 238-1800 or Crime Stoppers at 238-1414.

Police charge man with murder in Feb. 17 shooting

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

03-01-2008

Anniston police arrested the man accused of the Feb. 17 murder of Jerry Lewis Turner, 54, of Anniston at the Downtowner Inn around 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

Police charged Willie Jefferson Davis, 53, of Gurnee Avenue, with murder in the shooting death of Turner near the 300 block of K Street.

According to police reports, a resident in the area heard gunshots around 4:30 a.m. Feb. 17, walked outside to investigate, and found Turner on the ground.

Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown pronounced Turner dead on the scene around 5 a.m.

An autopsy conducted at the Alabama Department of Forensics lab in Huntsville concluded that Turner died from a single small-caliber gunshot wound to the upper neck, Brown said last week. The autopsy showed Turner was shot from the front and no other major wounds, he said.

Investigators have not said what they believe motivated the shooting.

Davis was in Calhoun County Jail on Friday morning, with bail set at $125,000.

Police investigating assault, murder of homeless man in Anniston earlier this month

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-28-2008

Anniston police are searching for answers and information about an assault-turned-murder of a homeless man on Feb. 12 on 18th Street.

Investigators said a 48-year-old man was assaulted by three other men between midnight and 3 a.m. on 18th Street possibly around Wilmer Avenue.

The man was reportedly beaten around his head and neck with fists and possibly a blunt object, said police reports.

It doesn't appear that robbery was the motive for the assault, said investigator Wayne Willis.

According to Willis, the man managed to walk to a laundromat at 1731 Wilmer Avenue where he called 911.

He was treated at a local hospital for hemorrhaging caused by a broken jaw and died on Feb. 22 from his injuries, said police reports.

Willis said the man had no identification with him and no family members have come forward. Police are asking for anyone with information about the man or the incident to contact them at 238-1800 or to call Crime Stoppers at 238-1414.

Coroner: Anniston man shot to death; warrant issued

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-22-2008

The 54-year-old man killed in Anniston early Sunday morning had been shot in the neck, according to an autopsy report released Wednesday.

Police have a warrant for a suspect in the shooting.

Anniston police investigators said they are searching for Willie Jefferson Davis, 53, with a last known address of 2700 Gurnee Ave., in connection with the murder of Jerry Lewis Turner, 54, of Anniston.

Investigators said Davis may be driving a green Toyota Camry or Mitsubishi and is believed to be armed.

According to police reports, a resident of the 300 block of K Street heard gunshots around 4:30 a.m., walked outside to investigate, and found Turner on the ground.

An autopsy conducted at the Alabama Department of Forensics lab in Huntsville concluded that Turner died from a single small-caliber gunshot wound to the upper neck, Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown said Thursday.

Brown said the autopsy showed Turner was shot from the front, and that there were no other major wounds.

Police said they aren't sure what motivated the shooting.

Details scarce in New Year's Eve shooting at Anniston nightclub

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

02-10-2008

The family of an Ashland man shot to death by a security guard at Dee Ford's Underground on New Years Eve is living in a dark place.

The Rev. Billy Ross, the brother of Richard Dewayne Duncan, said the family has spent the last month searching for answers.

"It's a devastating event," said Ross, "the worst thing that has ever happened to our family."

Ross said members of the family have passed away before, but not like this. The scarce details surrounding Duncan's death have provided little solace.

Police have been more than happy to communicate what is happening on their end, said Ross. He knows they believe his brother was shot by a guard who worked for a Birmingham security firm.

"They have been answering all the questions they can," he said.

But a lack of witnesses who aren't employed by the nightclub has been vexing. Few in the crowd of New Year's revelers have come forward to fill in the gaps.

Full Story

Details released in fatal club shooting

By Nick Cenegy
Star Staff Writer

01-03-2008

More details emerged Wednesday surrounding the Jan. 1 shooting death of a 22-year-old man at Dee Ford's Underground in Anniston.

According to Anniston Police investigators, a large fight involving several people broke out at the nightclub on the 1100 block of Wilmer Avenue around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Club security reportedly began ushering everyone out of the underground bar — the former basement of Back Roads, a nightclub that burned down in January, 2007.

As patrons were directed up the stairs, several people started to push their way back down.

In the turmoil, police said club security guard Joseph Thomas Pannell, 20, of Birmingham, shot Dwayne "Richard" Duncan, 22, of Ashland multiple times.

Investigators said Pannell was not in a police or security uniform but was wearing military style pants with a brown shirt.

The arrest report listed a "bail enforcement badge" as part of his personal property. The badge is similar to the type often used by employees of bail bonding companies, said investigators.

Police also recovered a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun — believed to be the weapon fired at Duncan — from Pannell.

Duncan was pronounced dead from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen at 3:20 a.m. at Regional Medical Center.

Pannell was in Calhoun County Jail Wednesday evening held on a $50,000 bond.

Duncan's death marks the first local homicide of the year.