UPDATE: Two of the juveniles charged in the case, Ty Reik McCullough, 17, of Tuskegee and Travis McCullough, 16, of Tuskegee, have also been denied bond. The sixth suspect, a 15-year-old, will have a separate hearing. All defendants are being charged as adults, with the exception of the 15-year-old. However, District Attorney Mike Segrest said his office will file a motion to charge that defendant as an adult as well.
The three adults charged in the shooting deaths of four people at a Sweet 16 party in Dadeville have been denied bond based on Aniah's Law.
The release of Wilson Lamar Hill, Jr., 20, of Auburn; Johnny Letron Brown, 20, of Tuskegee; and Willie George Brown Jr., 19, of Auburn, was determined to pose a risk to the defendants and the public by Tallapoosa County District Judge Clayton Kim Taylor.
"The evidence against the Defendant is compelling, and the State has met it's [sic] evidentiary burden, under Alabama Code §15-13-3(b)(1), of "clear and convincing' evidence," the judge wrote in an order.
The defendants are three of six charged with reckless murder in the deaths of Shaunkivia Nicole Smith, 17, of Dadeville; Marsiah Emmanuel Collins, 19, of Opelika; Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23, of Dadeville; and Philstavious Dowdell, 18, of Camp Hill.
The three remaining defendants are juveniles.
The shooting happened on April 15 at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio. In addition to those killed, 32 others were injured. Investigators said they found 89 shell casings at the scene.
At least one defense attorney claimed the shooting was in self-defense and stated one of the victims fired a gun first.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is investigating the shooting and has not released a possible motive or any details about the shooting.
Aniah's Law gives judges the option to hold suspects with certain charges without bail until trial. It was named after Aniah Blanchard, who was killed in October 2019. The suspect in the case was out on bond after being charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery and possession of marijuana.
Voters approved Aniah's Law by voting for Amendment 1 in the 2022 general election.
A separate hearing will be held for the juvenile suspects.
The next step for the adult defendants will be their preliminary hearings, which are expected to be at the end of May.
Reckless murder is a Class A felony, and the defendants could face life in prison if convicted.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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