2 dead in argument after Alabama-LSU game
EVERGREEN, Ala. (AP) -A man and woman were shot dead after an argument that witnesses said started over an Alabama-LSU football game, but sheriff's investigators said Monday they continued to investigate the motive.
The Conecuh County sheriff's office identified the victims as Dennis James Smith, 41, and Donna Kaye Hall Smith, 39, of Brewton. The two were shot to death about 7 p.m. Saturday in the rural community of Owassa in southern Alabama.
Michael W. Williams, 28, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder over the shooting at his home, where he had watched the game. He was being held Monday without bond. A sheriff's investigator handling the case did not know if he had an attorney.
An investigator said Monday that people watching the game at Williams' home said the dispute was over the game, which Alabama won 27-21 in overtime Saturday, but an investigation into the motive was not complete. The investigator also said alcohol may have been a factor.
According to witness accounts to investigators, Dennis Smith, an LSU fan, called Williams, an Alabama fan, after the game, and the Smiths then went to Williams' home, where a physical altercation led to the shooting.
Investigators said Dennis Smith had a pistol and Williams had a shotgun and fired.
Authorities said Donna Smith was a relative of Williams' girlfriend.
Relatives of both the victims and the suspect either declined comment or did not immediately return phone messages Monday from The Associated Press.
5 comments:
Gang,
Since this accused is not represented by counsel, I offer my services, pro hac vice, to represent him in the criminal case. Our initial plea would be not guilty by reason of insanity as this BCS nonsense has been driving me nuts over the past several years.
Please...put me in touch with local counsel and I will take on this case. Please have local counsel have sufficient funds available so that I may travel, lodge, and make the necessary appearances in the Alabama District Court to represent this poor individual. A tailgater fund would be appreciated as my local friends/family will have to make arrangements to appear with me as I will, likely, get lost in the back-water country that is Alabama.
As for LSU, there is no hope for the accused as they failed to take down the Crimson Tide when they had them in their grasp. Death Valley is bunk! Luisleon...you are bunk. First, for not writing in the blog. Secondly, for not writing about the game. Have you no pride? Are you not a Tiger, through and through? Que Pasa?
Got to run. The family of the accused is calling on the other line and is inquiring about bail.
Victor
Victor, I will begin immediately to make arrangements for you to appear pro hac vice on behalf of the accused and set up a tailgater defense fund. I actually know some lawyers in Alabama who will be more than happy to give you the lay of the land and let you use their offices. Heck, they will probably put you up in their homes and treat you to the local cuisine. The people in the South are the nicest, friendliest, most hospitable people in the world... until you start trashing their football teams. And then, watch out, because them are "'fightin words". In fact, apart from the insanity plea, you might want to explore a defense based on justifiable homicide. Very popular around these here parts. Jurisdiction is in Alabama District Court. Remember, the defendant is a 'Bama fan. Probably has a picture of the Bear in his living room. The victim is an LSU fan who was trash talking the Tide, probably questioning the parentage of the Bear. These things are important. Remember to bring the biography of Bear Bryant I gave you last year and lay it prominently on counsel's table, side closest to the jury. And be sure to wear a red tie. No matter what people say to you on the street, the appropriate response is always, "Roll Tide!!!" You'll walk your client in no time. The judge will probably pour you a tall glass of bourbon in chambers, open his desk drawer and give you a ticket to the SEC Championship game in Atlanta. You'll have a such a blast you wont want to go back to LA!
Joaq,
Would it be helpful to ride into town on an elephant (what gives with the elephant mascot, by the way?).
Pour the drink. I am ready.
Victor
The story of how Alabama became associated with the "elephant" goes back to the 1930 season when Coach Wallace Wade had assembled a great football team.
On October 8, 1930, sports writer Everett Strupper of the Atlanta Journal wrote a story of the Alabama-Mississippi game he had witnessed in Tuscaloosa four days earlier. Strupper wrote, "That Alabama team of 1930 is a typical Wade machine, powerful, big, tough, fast, aggressive, well-schooled in fundamentals, and the best blocking team for this early in the season that I have ever seen. When those big brutes hit you I mean you go down and stay down, often for an additional two minutes.
"Coach Wade started his second team that was plenty big and they went right to their knitting scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against one of the best fighting small lines that I have seen. For Ole Miss was truly battling the big boys for every inch of ground.
"At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity.
"It was the first time that I had seen it and the size of the entire eleven nearly knocked me cold, men that I had seen play last year looking like they had nearly doubled in size."
Strupper and other writers continued to refer to the Alabama linemen as "Red Elephants," the color referring to the crimson jerseys.
The 1930 team posted an overall 10-0 record. It shut out eight opponents and allowed only 13 points all season while scoring 217. The "Red Elephants" rolled over Washington State 24-0 in the Rose Bowl and were declared National Champions.
Joaq,
Great trivia answer!!! I love it. Alabama...the Red Elephants. That is awesome.
Thanks for the history lesson. Our true blog leader.
Thanks,
Victor
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