FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
February 7, 2017
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
AG STRANGE ANNOUNCES COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
UPHOLDS COVINGTON COUNTY MURDER CONVICTION
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange announced that the
Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday upheld the murder conviction of
Clarence Alvin Norris. Norris, 56, of Andalusia, was convicted in January of 2016 for
the murder of his brother, Cleve Norris.
The evidence at trial revealed that on June 12, 2012, Clarence Norris shot Cleve
Norris in the chest with a hunting rifle, which resulted in his death. The murder arose
from a dispute regarding the family farm, and happened at a shed on the property.
The case was prosecuted at trial by Covington County District Attorney Walt
Merrell’s office. Norris was sentenced to life imprisonment for his murder conviction.
He subsequently sought to have his conviction reversed on appeal.
The Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Section handled the case during the
appeals process, arguing for the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals to affirm the
conviction. The Court did so in a decision issued on Friday, February 3.
Attorney General Strange commended Assistant Attorney General Yvonne Saxon
of the Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Section for her successful work in this case.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
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