FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
December 14, 2015
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
AG STRANGE ANNOUNCES MANSLAUGHTER INDICTMENT
FOR FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH IN COFFEE COUNTY
(MONTGOMERY)–Attorney General Luther Strange announced the arrest of
John Gray, also known as John Carlton Gray, 19, for charges related to a traffic crash
that killed 18-year-old Griffin Jones in Coffee County on May 3, 2015. He was
arrested by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department on December 11.
Attorney General Strange’s Criminal Trials Division presented evidence to a
Coffee County grand jury, resulting in Gray’s indictment* on November 19.
Specifically, the indictment charges Gray with manslaughter, leaving the scene of an
accident involving death or personal injuries, and failure to immediately report an
accident resulting in injury or death.
No further information about the investigation or about Gray’s alleged crimes
other than that stated in the indictment may be released at this time.
If convicted, Gray faces a maximum penalty of two to 20 years for
manslaughter, which is a class B felony. He faces additional penalties of one to 10
years for each of the traffic offenses, which are class C felonies because a death
resulted.
Attorney General Strange commended those who are handling this case,
noting in particular Assistant Attorney General Bill Lisenby and James Rutter of his
Criminal Trials Division and thanked the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The
case is being prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office due to the recusal of the
Coffee County District Attorney.
*An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
