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March is Women's History Month!

WVAS Local News

It is shaping up to be a long day at the Alabama Statehouse.  Today is the final day of the 2013 regular session.  There are several key pieces of legislation awaiting consideration.  It includes a bill that would allow workers to keep guns in in their vehicle while at work.  On another matter, Alabama's governor isn't getting support from key Republicans or Democrats for his proposal to delay private school tax credits for two years.  Democratic Senator Quinton Ross of Montgomery said the law should be repealed not delayed. 

Fatal Shooting

A fatal shooting in Montgomery over the weekend is under investigation.  Police said 56-year-old Anthony Lamar Brown is being held on a $75,000 bond after he was charged with murdering his wife.  Officer said 33-year-old Shamieka Brown was shot inside her home on Oak Street.  The shooting occurred early Saturday morning.  It was Montgomery's 24th homicide of the year. 

Firefighter Arrested

A Montgomery firefighter was arrested Friday a State Trooper and Lowndes County Sheriff's Deputies following a high speed chase.  The Department of Public Safety said 21-year-old James Green was taken into custody after he allegedly drove his motorcycle 140 miles-per-hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone.  Green was charged with several driving-related offenses, including attempting to elude law enforcement. 

Tax Preparer Sentenced

The former owner of a Montgomery tax preparation business will serve four years in federal prison.  The Justice Department said Larreka Jackson received the prison term last week after she pleaded guilty to using stolen identities to collect tax refunds.  Jackson was also ordered to pay more than $721,00o dollars.  Federal prosecutors said Jackson and Chiquanta Davis operated a business called Tax Time and used as a front to falsely file tax returns.  In September, Davis was sentenced to 66 months in prison. 

New Rape Trial

A Pike County judge has overturned a Troy man's two rape convictions and ordered a new trial, saying prosecutors failed to share evidence relevant to the man's defense.  36-year-old Andre Lamon Ellis was granted a new trial Friday.  A jury in March sentenced Ellis to 85 years in prison after convicting him of raping two women at Hunter's Mountain Mobile Estates.  The judge said prosecutors failed to disclose to Ellis' lawyer interviews in which one of the victims made inconsistent statements.  They also didn't share a police affidavit that says one victim examining a photo lineup identified a suspect other than Ellis.  The Pike County district attorney's office is reviewing options with the Court of Criminal Appeals.