Office of the 5th Judicial Circuit District Attorney Mike Segrest

Chambers County, Al:

On November 5th, 2025 Christopher Summers of Valley, Al pled guilty as charged, in the middle of trial, to the April 15th, 2022 murder of Jarez Ricks that occurred at 417 MLK Drive in Valley, Al.

Assistant District Attorney Taylor-Lee Stokes was lead counsel for the State of Alabama and had struck a jury and presented a full day of testimony from the Law Enforcement officer’s of Valley Police Department. On Day 3 of the trial,before testimony began, Summers pled guilty as charged to Murder. ADA Stokes was assisted by trial coordinator Michelle Mitcham in preparing and presenting the case. Circuit Court Judge Kevin Hall presided over the trial and accepted Summer’s guilty plea.

District Attorney Mike Segrest would like to thank his Chamber’s county staff, the Valley Police Department officers that responded, worked the scene and showed up to testify, as well as case agent Chris Daniels, who was lead Investigator for the Valley PD and present for trial.

A special thanks to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science for their assistance, Sherriff Jeff Nelson and his staff for their role in providing security and Circuit Clerk Lisa Burdette and staff for empaneling the over 100 Chamber’s county residents that showed up willing to serve on Jury Duty.

Justice was served. The Trial term in Chambers County continues next week November the 10th with jurors returning.

On October 29th,2025 a Macon County jury convicted Joshua Washington of Murder for the 2021 death of Davion Tarver. Tarver, who was 4 years old at the time, was inside a Pleasant Springs apartment off of Pleasant Springs drive in Tuskegee on Febuary 13th, 2021 when at least 24 rounds were fired outside of the complex. One round came through the bedroom wall and struck Tarver in the head. Tarver passed away 2 days later at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Weldon was lead counsel for the State and was assisted by District Attorney Mike Segrest and Assistant District Attorney Kisha Abercrombie.

District Attorney Mike Segrest would like to thank Chief Gary Hicks, Sherriff Andre Brunson, the Tuskegee Police Department, the Macon County Sherriff’s Department, and the Alabama Department of Forensic Science for their roles in presenting the case. Also a very special thank you to the family of Davion, especially his Mama Beanca Cannon whose Birthday was yesterday, for their patience and trust with the District Attorney’s office in seeking justice for Davion.

Washington, who was also convicted of one count of Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling, will be sentenced on November 18th, 2025 by Judge Isaac Whorton who presided over the trial.

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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 10, 2025
Contact: (334) 832-7179


Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Cold Case Investigators Seek Public’s Help in Solving Homicide of Tuskegee Teen

Montgomery, Ala. – Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Cold Case Unit Investigators are asking for people to come forward with any information that may help solve the murder of a Tuskegee teen who was reported missing two years ago.

The body of 15-year-old Jordan Lashelle Fitzpatrick, who was last seen in Macon County around March 22, 2023, was positively identified by the Alabama Department of Forensics Sciences on September 25, 2025. Police found her remains in the back of a building in the 2300 block of Poplar Street in Montgomery on August 18, 2023, but were unable to identify her as her body was extensively burned. Based on the findings of the autopsy, police ruled the then unidentified victim’s cause of death as a homicide.

Through a genetic genealogy report shared with the Montgomery County DA’s Office Cold Case Unit in 2025, investigators were able to locate a DNA profile belonging to Jordan. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences was then able to positively identify her after analyzing and comparing that DNA profile with one that was taken at the time of her autopsy.

Anyone with information is asked to please call the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office at 334-832-2550.

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Tallapoosa County

Statement regarding Steven McKinley Abercrombie charged with capital murder.

1. At 10:05am Saturday, July 19th District Attorney Mike Segrest was notified of a murder investigation involving the above named defendant.

2. At 10:12am District Attorney Mike Segrest contacted the Attorney General’s office asking the AG to take over the investigation and prosecution of the case because of an internal conflict of interest of an employee in the District Attorney’s office.

3. The District Attorney’s office has been fire-walled from this investigation from the very beginning and does not have any information related to the investigation.

4. Local Law enforcement turned the case over to ALEA to handle the investigation.

5. All media inquiries should be made to the Attorney General’s office and ALEA.

Deepest condolences and Prayers for the victim’s family and friends. Justice will be served.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Four Individuals Indicted in Connection to Tuskegee University Shooting.


MACON COUNTY – On Friday, Feb. 7, the following individuals were indicted on one count of Discharging a Firearm on School Property: Jaquez Ke’Von Myrick, 25, Jaylen Se’Quan Lassic, 21, Romero Frazier II, 20, La’Darius Ja’Quan Gantt, 21, all of Montgomery.

Myrick is currently incarcerated at the Montgomery County Detention Facility. The other 3 have been arrested and placed in custody.

District Attorney Mike Segrest would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance in this investigation: ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation, Tuskegee University Police Department, Tuskegee Police Department, Macon County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Mobile Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms and Explosives (ATF), ALEA’s Game and Fish division the Alabama Attorney General’s Office.

This investigation is still ongoing.

Press Release: Death Sentence

Tallapoosa County/ Dadeville Division.

On January 2nd, 2025, a Dadeville jury returned a sentence of Death against defendant Derek Hightower of Columbus, Ga., for the April 17th, 2020 murders of Willie and Barbara Tidwell of Dadeville. The murders occurred during an early morning hours at the Tidwell’s home. The death penalty marks the first return of a death sentence in Tallapoosa county since 1995.

Assistant District Attorney Lakisha Abercrombie was first chair presenting the case assisted by Chief Deputy Robbie Treese and District Attorney Mike Segrest. The case began December 2nd and a guilty verdict was returned on December 18th, 2024 for four counts of Capital Murder.

The penalty phase was temporarily postponed for an unexpected family death of the defense team and reconvened for the sentencing phase of the trial on January 2nd, 2025.

The law regarding impostion of the death penalty phase changed in 2018 putting the decision of death solely in the hands of the jury and not allowing judicial override, requiring a minimum of 10 of 12 jurors to vote in favor of the death penalty.

The death sentence marks the first time a jury has recommended the death penalty in the 5th Judicial Circuit, which includes Chambers, Macon, Randolph, and Tallapoosa counties.

The District Attorney’s office would like to thank all assisting agencies including the Dadeville Police Department, Columbus Ga Police Department, Phenix City Police Department, Auburn Police Department, Chelsea Police Department, Jefferson County Police Department , Tallapoosa County Coroner’s office, and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for there assistance in prosecution. Thanks to Circuit Clerk Patrick Craddock and his Office in assembling the juror ve**re and Sherriff Jimmy Abbett and staff for court room security and transport of the Defendant. Also thanks to the citizens of the community of Dadeville who came forward to testify.

Presiding Circuit Court Judge Isaac Whorton of the 5th Judicial Circuit presided over all phases of the Trial.

District Attorney Mike Segrest would especially like to thank the family and friends of Willie and Barbara Tidwell who showed up everyday of the month long trial to show their love and support.

Randolph County:

On November, 20th, 2024, a Randolph county Jury deliberated just 22 minutes in returning a verdict of guilty as charged against Thomas Watson Jr., age 62, of Roanoke, Al., for the death of Amman Rashad Morgan, age 46, also from Roanoke.

The incident occurred on January 14, 2023 on Chestnut Street in Roanoke.

5th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Isaac Whorton, who presided over the case, will sentence Watson on December, 20th, 2024.

Assistant District Attorney Tucker North was lead counsel handling opening, presentation , and closing of the case for the State. He was assisted by trial coordinator Leslie Smith. Chief Deputy District Attorney Robbie Treese was second chair for the State.

The District Attorney’s office would like to thank the Roanoke Police Department and all assisting agencies for their efforts and assistance in the investigation and presentation of the case. Job well done!

Macon County:

An overnight shooting on the campus of Tuskegee University has left one dead and 16 victims wounded. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation is the lead agency assisted by the FBI, ATF, the Attorney General’s, the Macon County Sherriff’s department, the District Attorney’s office.

The investigation is on going and no arrest have been made at this time. Anyone with information should contact ALEA or the Macon County Sheriff’s office.

Macon County:

District Attorney Mike Segrest has confirmed a shooting occurred at approximately 1 a.m. this morning in Tuskegee at Josh’s store. There was one male victim dead on the scene and 3 others wounded that were transported for medical attention, 2 of which remain hospitalized in critical condition.

Anyone with any information should contact the Tuskegee Police Department.

Tallapoosa County/Dadeville division:

On Thursday, June 6th, 2024, a Tallapoosa county jury deliberated 39 minutes in returning a guilty a verdict on a 5 count indictment against Roger Dixon of Tallassee, Al, for R**e in the 1st degree, So**my in the 1st degree, kidnapping, in**st, and human trafficking. The incident took place in June of 2021 in Tallassee,Al in Tallapoosa county. The victim, who was 19 at the time, was the niece of the Defendant.

Assistant District Attorney Kisha Abercrombie opened, presented, and closed the case for the State. District Attorney Mike Segrest set second chair and did 2nd closing for the State.

District Attorney Mike Segrest would like to thank our law enforcement partners in this case. This includes Tallassee Police Chief Todd Buce, Investigator Chase Wilks, who was the case agent for the Tallassee Police Department and testified at trial. A special thanks to all the other officers who assisted in the investigation and trial.

Sentencing will be July 26th, 2024, in front of Judge Isaac Whorton, who was the presiding Judge over the trial.

Randolph county:

On May 15th, 2024 a Randolph County Jury found William Todd McCurry, of Graham Alabama, guilty of 3 counts of So**my in the 1st Degree of a child under the age of 12 and and 1 Count Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree of a Child Under the Age of 12. The jury deliberated less than an hour in returning the verdicts. The victims, who are brothers, were 9 years old and 11 years old at the time the acts occurred in 2016. Both testified at trial.

Assistant District Attorney Tucker North Opened and presented the case along with Chief Assistant District Attorney Michael Weldon. North also did first closing arguments. District Attorney Mike Segrest crossed a defense witness as well as a rebuttal witness and handled second closing arguments.

The District Attorney Mike Segrest would like to thank all assisting agencies. Sherriff David Coffield and the Randolph County Sherriff’s Office who investigated the case and the Child Advocacy Center that assisted. Also Circuit Clerk Chris May for his assistance in empaneling the jury.

Sentencing will take place June 6th, 2024 in front of Circuit Judge Steve Perryman, who presided over the trial.

From Tuskegee Police Chief Jennifer Jordan and District Attorney Mike Segrest:

Five individuals have now been arrested and charged with reckless murder in the February 16th, 2024 death of Jeffrey “Buck” Thompson, in Tuskegee, Alabama.

Takeo Malikque Potts,19, Tallassee
Antonio Danyel Terry Jr., 19,Tallassee
Kentravious L. Melton, 23 Tallassee
Travion Demarr Johnson, 19, Tuskegee
A juvenile male, 17, Tallassee

The investigation is still active may result in additional charges against these individuals and others.