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 Lawrence County
(MONTGOMERY) -Attorney General Luther Strange announced that the
Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday upheld the capital murder convictions of
Charles Arthur Moore. Moore, 66, of Tuscumbia, was convicted in the Lawrence
County Circuit Court in April of 2013 for the murders of Bailey and Betty Nichols.
Evidence presented at trial stated that on December 20, 2009, Bailey and Betty
Nichols were found shot to death in their home in Lawrence County. During the
investigation of the murders, law enforcement learned that Bailey Nichols was the
landlord of Moore’s business and that Moore had not been paying his rent. Moore was
scheduled to meet Bailey at Bailey’s home on December 20 because Moore owed Bailey
$2,000. Law enforcement later determined that a .32 caliber pistol was the weapon used
in the shooting. Law enforcement further discovered the tire tread on Moore’s truck was
similar to the tire track found at the scene. Law enforcement thereafter impounded
Moore’s truck and found a set of keys and a wallet both belonging to Bailey that had
been reported missing from the Nichols’ residence. Further, the execution of a search
warrant on Moore’s residence revealed a cigar box containing a .32 caliber pistol and
ammunition as well as a wallet with contents belonging to Bailey Nichols.
The case was prosecuted at trial by Lawrence County District Attorney Errek Jett.
Moore was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole 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, July 11.
Attorney General Strange commended Assistant Attorney General Madeline
Lewis of the Attorney General’s Appeals Division for her successful work in this case.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov
