FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
July 14, 2015
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
AG ANNOUNCES THAT COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
UPHOLDS MADISON COUNTY MURDER CONVICTION
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange announced that the
Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals last Friday upheld the murder conviction of Karla
Gaye Chapman, also known as Karla Gaye Elliff. Chapman, 45, of Hazel Green, was
convicted in Madison County Circuit Court in March of 2014 for the murder of her
husband Jonathan Elliff.
Evidence presented at trial showed the following: On the evening of May 28,
2010, Chapman and her husband Jonathan Elliff got into a series of arguments about
money. Elliff said that he was going to leave Chapman, and he left the residence. After
Elliff returned to the home early the next morning, Chapman stabbed him with a knife.
Elliff was able to call for emergency assistance, and before he died, told police that his
wife had stabbed him.
The case was prosecuted at trial by Madison County District Attorney Robert
Broussard’s office. Chapman was sentenced to 35 years imprisonment and
subsequently sought to have her conviction reversed on appeal.
The Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Division 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 July 10.
Attorney General Strange commended Assistant Attorney General Michael
Dean of the Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Division for his successful work in
this case.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
