FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
July 17, 2012
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Suzanne Webb (334) 242-7351
Jeff Sommer (334) 353-2199
Page 1 of 1
AG ANNOUNCES KILLINGSWORTH AGAIN CONVICTED
IN RETRIAL FOR 2004 MURDER IN BIBB COUNTY
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange announced that the retrial
of Jimmy Lamar Killingsworth Jr. yesterday resulted in a second conviction of capital
murder for a brutal attack on a Bibb County couple in December of 2004.
With his retrial set for yesterday, Killingsworth entered a guilty plea for capital
murder, which was affirmed by a jury in Bibb County Circuit Court. He was
subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. Killingsworth first was
convicted in 2006, and the retrial was ordered by the Alabama Supreme Court due to an
issue regarding a juror in the previous trial.
Killingsworth was convicted for a drive-by shooting into the couple’s vehicle, in
which Steven C. Spears was fatally wounded and his wife, Monica Spears, was
viciously beaten with a chain. The attack occurred on State Highway 139 on December
10, 2004. Troy Connell of Chilton County was previously convicted for capital murder
and assault in the attack upon the Spears, and is serving a sentence of life without
parole.
“I am pleased that justice has been preserved with this defendant again
convicted for his terrible crime,” said Attorney General Strange. “This was a horrifying
crime of senseless random violence that demands severe punishment.”
Attorney General Strange commended those involved in handling this case,
noting in particular Assistant Attorneys General Andrew Arrington and John Hensley
of his Criminal Trials Division. He thanked the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and
the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office for outstanding work in preparing the case for trial and
retrial.
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501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov
