FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
May 28, 2015
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
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AG ANNOUNCES THAT COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
UPHOLDS HENRY COUNTY CAPITAL MURDER CONVICTION
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange announced that the Alabama
Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday upheld the capital murder conviction of Charles
Turner. Turner, 50, of Dothan, was convicted in Henry County Circuit Court in August of
2014 for the murder of Darren Minniefield.
Evidence presented at trial indicated that on May 2, 2012, Turner’s sister, Cassandra
White, lured the victim, Minniefield, to her mother’s house in Headland. After he arrived,
Minniefield was struck from behind by Turner and another man, Jarvis Jackson. The two men
both proceeded to beat and “stomp” Minniefield while he was on the floor, causing serious
brain injuries. Turner and Jackson then carried Minniefield out into the yard, sat him in a
chair, and poured water on him. Afterward, Turner and Jackson moved Minniefield inside a
garage where he remained for several hours. Minnifield’s injuries resulted in a coma. He
later was placed on life support in the intensive care unit of Dothan Medical Center, and
eventually died of blunt force trauma to the head.
The case was prosecuted at trial by Henry County District Attorney Doug
Valeska’s office. Turner was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of
parole and subsequently sought to have his conviction reversed on appeal. Capital murder
charges are pending against Jackson.
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, May 22.
Attorney General Strange commended Assistant Attorney General Jack Willis 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.alabama.gov
