A federal judge plans to announce the sentences Monday for four former prison employees who were involved in the fatal beating of an inmate or tried to cover it up. U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson listened Thursday as family and friends of the defendants described them good, church-going men with no history of violence. The four are awaiting sentencing in the August 2010 beating death of Rocrast Mack at a state prison in Clayton.
Deadly Wreck
Authorities say a deadly wreck in Montgomery happened as the suspects in an investigation of counterfeiting fled from law officers and crashed into a semitrailer. The crash happened during Wednesday's rush hour and shut down a major thoroughfare in the city. Montgomery Police Chief Kevin Murphy says officers had been working a counterfeiting investigation with Wetumpka police and the U.S. Secret Service. He said they spotted the alleged suspects in a stolen car, officers pulled it over and then it fled and crashed into the semi. The passenger in the car was killed and the driver was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. The crash happened around 5 p.m. near Old Selma Road and Western Boulevard. Few details on the counterfeiting investigation were released.
Stolen Items
Jefferson County authorities say a Gardendale couple stole the credit cards of an 88-year-old woman to buy more than $24,000 worth of goods and services. AL.com reports deputies arrested 24-year-old Nora Armstrong and her 32-year-old husband, Lee Aaron Armstrong, Thursday morning. Each is charged with elder abuse by financial exploitation. The alleged victim was not identified, but Chief Deputy Randy Christian told AL.com that Nora Armstrong was the woman's housekeeper and sitter.