Five of the six suspects in a 2023 deadly Sweet 16 party shooting in Dadeville could sign plea deals this week.
Tallapoosa Circuit Judge Steve Perryman set a plea hearing for Willie Brown, Jr., Tyreese McCullough, Travis McCullough, Sherman Peters III and Wilson Hill. The case of the sixth suspect, Johnny Brown, has been sealed after the judge granted him youthful offender status. The maximum sentence he can receive is three years in prison.
The suspects are charged with four counts of reckless murder, 24 counts of first-degree assault and one count of second-degree assault.
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, were shot and killed on April 15, 2023. 25 others were injured.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) investigated the shooting. Detectives believe that during the party, a group of kids believed to have guns were asked to leave but refused. Although the exact sequence of events is unclear, a disagreement ensued and ended in a shooting.
Defense attorneys claimed that text messages from the victims’ phones would prove the suspects were acting in self-defense.
The plea hearing is set for 9 a.m. on March 27.
Supporters of the victims have voiced concerns about possible leniency that could come along with a plea deal. They said they want justice and have started an online petition to raise awareness.
Fifth Judicial Circuit of Alabama Mike Segrest released a statement outlining cases he has prosecuted to the maximum penalty. However, he said everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty, so he is unable to discuss specifics. However, he said he is required by statute to discuss all pre-trial resolutions with victims and their families. He said the discussions have been emotional for all involved.
“I have tried my best to explain the law as I understand it and the issues we face,” Segrest stated. “The meetings have been emotional and have cried with them. While I am required to meet with them by statute, I am not required to follow their wishes. I have to make the decision.”
Segrest said to go to trial, there would have to be five separate trials and there would be no guarantee for a guilty verdict or having all witnesses return for each trial. He said the earliest any case could be heard would be June 2027, not to mention lengthy appeals that would follow any conviction.
“Any plea agreement would eliminate the risk and emotional agony of trials, a waiver of any appeals, and a final adjudication of all the cases with consistent outcomes for all the defendants,” Segrest stated. “It would be my prayer that this could bring closure and let the healing process begin.”
“Finally, the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct’s special rules for prosecutors state that a prosecutor is ‘not just an advocate but is a minister of justice,” Segrest added. “This means I have a duty to see that justice is served not only to the victims and their families but to the defendants in a consistent and timely manner. I have developed some very deep relationships with many of the victims and families in Dadeville and want what is best for them and the people of this State.
“I have to make these kinds of decisions daily all across the Circuit, and I am going to keep working and making these decisions until the people of the Circuit decide otherwise or I can no longer handle it physically or mentally,” he continued. “If that day comes, I will see what the Lord has in store for me next. My promise to you is still the same. Any decision that I make is going to be because I believe in my heart it is the right thing to do after prayerful consideration.
God Bless.”
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