FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
May 16, 2011
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Suzanne Webb (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
AG ANNOUNCES THAT COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
UPHOLDS MONTGOMERY COUNTY MURDER CONVICTION
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange announced
that the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday upheld the felony
murder conviction of a Montgomery man. Fredrick Ford, 23, was
convicted by a jury in Montgomery County Circuit Court in March of
2010 for the murder of Bernard Mitchell.
Evidence presented at trial stated that a little after 2 a.m. on New Year’s
morning, 2008, Ford and his accomplice, Corey Johnson, waited in the
parking lot outside of The Rose Supper Club in Montgomery. According
to the Court record, when Mitchell left The Rose and walked across the
parking lot to his car, Ford and Johnson attacked him. Mitchell was
shot twice, and the robbers removed his chain necklace, removed the
contents of his pockets, and ran away. Mitchell died from the gunshot
wounds.
The case was prosecuted at trial by Montgomery County District
Attorney Ellen Brooks’ Office. Ford was convicted and sentenced to life
imprisonment, and subsequently sought to have his conviction reversed
on appeal.
The Attorney General’s 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,
May 13. The felony murder conviction for Ford’s accomplice, Corey
Johnson, earlier was upheld by the Court of Criminal Appeals in a
decision issued on March 11, 2011. Attorney General Strange
commended Assistant Attorneys General Tracy Daniel and James Rutter
of the Attorney General’s Appeals Division for their successful work in
these cases.
*For additional information regarding this case, a copy is attached of the
memorandum opinion of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals.
–30–
501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36130 (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
