FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
April 26, 2018
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Steve Marshall
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 2
Alabama Attorney General
AG STEVE MARSHALL ANNOUNCES 20-YEAR PRISON SENTENCES
FOR BIRMINGHAM LAWYER CONVICTED OF KIDNAPPING,
ROBBERY AND ATTEMPTED MURDER
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that Birmingham
lawyer James Woolley was sentenced today to 20 years for each of three convictions, for first-
degree robbery, first-degree kidnapping, and attempted murder. Woolley was found guilty by a
jury in Jefferson County Circuit Court on March 2. The three sentences of 20 years run
concurrently.
The Attorney General’s Criminal Trials Division presented evidence during the trial
about crimes committed against the victim, Justin Bicknell, on January 25, 2016.
Two co-defendants, Monique Roscoe and Kimberly Murphy, previously pleaded guilty
to their part in the crimes. Roscoe, 42, is a man, and Murphy, 33, is a woman. Both testified
about the following events.
Bicknell was lured to Murphy’s house in the East Lake area of Birmingham, where
Woolley and Roscoe attacked him in the basement. They shoved him onto a couch in an area
covered by plastic, held him at gunpoint, hit him in the head with the blunt side of a machete,
and threatened to cut off his fingers and genitals with bolt cutters. They told him several times
that it was his last day on earth and they would kill him. They robbed him of his phone, wallet
and other personal items. When his attackers were distracted by a phone call, Bicknell ran for
the stairs and Roscoe shot at him but missed. Roscoe continued to pursue Bicknell outside the
house and shot at him again. Bicknell was able to escape to his home nearby and called for
police assistance. The attack purportedly arose from a conflict over a transaction for the
purchase of tires.
In addition to testimony of co-defendants Roscoe and Murphy, testimony was presented
by the responding patrol officer about Bicknell’s injuries and by others who placed Woolley at
the scene near the time of the crimes.
“It is appropriate that this defendant will serve many years in prison for his crimes,”
said Attorney General Marshall. “This was a monstrous attack, which is particularly
reprehensible that these deeds were committed by a man who, as a lawyer, was entrusted as an
officer of the court. I am pleased that my office was successful in this prosecution to bring an
important measure of justice for this victim.”
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Roscoe previously pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and attempted assault.
Murphy, who was not present after Bicknell first arrived at the house, pleaded guilty to
conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery. Murphy also was sentenced today, to 15 years split
to serve 18 months imprisonment. Roscoe’s sentencing has been scheduled for June 11.
The cases were prosecuted by Attorney General Marshall’s office due to recusal by the
District Attorney’s Office. Attorney General Marshall commended Assistant Attorneys General
John Kachelman and John Hensley of his Criminal Trials Division and Special Agents of his
Investigations Division. He thanked the Birmingham Police Department, noting in particular
Detective Johnny Brooks.
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