FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
July 14, 2014
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Claire Haynes (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
AG Announces that Court of Criminal Appeals
Upholds Murder Conviction in Elmore County
(MONTGOMERY) -Attorney General Luther Strange announced that the
Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday upheld the murder conviction of Robert
Albert Griffin. Griffin, 55, of Tallassee, was convicted in the Elmore County County
Circuit Court in March of 2013 for the murder of Quinton Thomas.
Evidence presented at trial stated that on the night of December 2, 2011, several
people, including Griffin, Thomas, and Kelvin Mitchell, were at a mobile home playing
dice and drinking alcohol when an argument broke out between Thomas and Mitchell.
The two men had to be separated and Mitchell went outside with others.
While outside, Mitchell testified that Griffin approached him, handed him a gun
and told him to “F that cuz.” Another witness observed Griffin give something to
Mitchell while the two spoke. A few minutes later, Mitchell returned inside and shot
Thomas, killing him. After the shooting, Mitchell stated that he went outside and
returned the gun to Griffin. At that time, Griffin told Mitchell that if anyone asked
where Mitchell had obtained the gun to “tell them you stole it out of my truck.”
The case was prosecuted by Elmore County District Attorney Randall Houston’s
office. Prior to Griffin’s trial, Mitchell pleaded guilty to the murder and agreed to testify
against his accomplice. Griffin was found guilty by the jury and sentenced to 25
years imprisonment; he 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, July 11.
Attorney General Strange commended Assistant Attorney General Michael
Nunnelley of the Attorney General’s Appeals Division for his successful work in this
case.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov
