Three candidates seeking to become Alabama's next governor are all running pro-lottery campaigns. Democrats Parker Griffith and Kevin Bass and Republican Stacy George all believe a state lottery system could support college scholarships and other programs in the state. Dr. Birdie Larkin, professor of Political Science at Alabama State University, said educational funding will resonate with parents. The primary election in Alabama is set for Tuesday, June 3rd.
Child Abuse Charges
A former Sunday school class leader has been sentenced to 10 years in prison on child sex abuse charges. WAKA-TV reports Andy Bartels pleaded guilty Monday and is ordered to register as a sex offender. Bartels lead a Sunday school class at Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church at the time of his arrest in 2012. He was charged with two counts of first-degree sex abuse.
Capital Murder Charges
Police in northeast Alabama say they've charged four Gadsden residents with capital murder in the gunshot killing of a Tuskegee man last month. Albertville police said the four suspects are being held in the Marshall County Jail. The four are charged in the death of 22-year-old Willie Coleman Junior. His body was found inside a home in Albertville on January 9th. Albertville Police said they believe Coleman was shot to death during a robbery.
Fatal Shooting
The Russell County Sheriff's Office has charged two men in the fatal shooting of a man at a Cottonton church. Officials say Antonio King and Santiago Montrell Davis are both facing capital murder charges in the death of 19-year-old Sayquawn Lamar Wiggins of Phenix City. Russell County Sheriff's officials say Wiggins was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds at around 6:30 p.m. in the cemetery next to Hope Baptist Church on February 19th. A motive in the shooting hasn't been released.