A Dale County judge is set to decide this week whether to give bond to a Dothan former Marine accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend.
Dustin Rigsbee is charged with the murder of Harleigh Dills, a mother of three, after Rigsbee’s mother called law enforcement to tell them he shot his partner.
At an Aniah’s Law hearing Monday, Dothan Police investigator Scott Spivey said Rigsbee shot Dills with a high-powered rifle early Friday morning before fleeing to Jack in Coffee County to his mother’s home.
The investigator said Rigsbee confessed the murder to his mother, who called 911 and told authorities he’d shot his girlfriend.
Dills was most likely shot at close-range in the face before she was dragged into the master bedroom and covered with a blanket, according to the investigator.
The investigator said three of Rigsbee’s children and two of Dills’s children were in the trailer at the time of the murder. Rigsbee allegedly took the children to his mother’s house.
Once police arrived, Rigsbee fled into the woods wearing a bulletproof vest, armed with an AR-15 and a knife. It took several hours of negotiation to get him to surrender.
Rigsbee was honorably discharged from the Marines and recently treated for PTSD.
Defense attorneys said there was “credible evidence” the shooting was accidental, but prosecutors pushed back, saying since Rigsbee fled and engaged in a standoff he was a flight risk.
Judge Stanley Garner is expected to rule on bond this week.
Gordon Keith Etheridge was the Ashford Police Chief in the 1980s.
Keith Etheridge, a beloved resident of Marianna, FL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 25th, 2025, at the age of 69. Born on Thursday, April 7th, 1955, Keith lived a life marked by service, dedication, and love for his family and community.
Keith proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army, where he developed a strong sense of duty and honor that he carried throughout his life. Following his military service, Keith dedicated many years to law enforcement as a police officer, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues and the community. His commitment to safety and security extended beyond his police work, as he later established his own private security company, providing protection and peace of mind to many. He was also a member of Bethel Baptist Church, Fort Gaines.
Keith is survived by his loving sisters, Merlene Donley (Mack) and Betty Tittle (Daryl) of Dothan, Claranel Vandevender (Bobby) of Blue Grass, VA, and Sherry Lewis of Fort Gaines, GA. He is also survived by his son-in-law, Michael Wright of Marianna, FL, and several cherished nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved daughters, Stephanie Wright, and an infant daughter, his parents, James Gordon and Frances Merlene Etheridge, also his siblings, Barbara Mertis, Marjorie Gaylord, Martha Paulk, and Larry Etheridge.
Funeral services will be held at Bethel Baptist Church on Tuesday, January 28th, 2025, at 2:00 PM, with Rev. Danny Lewis officiating. Friends and family are invited to gather for a visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 PM prior to the service to pay their respects and share memories of a life well-lived.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Manry-Jordan-Hodges Funeral Home.
The Alabama House Republican caucus Monday released what it calls the “Alabama Values” agenda for the legislative session, which starts next week.
A release said the caucus, which dominates the House with a three-fourths majority, espouses “conservative beliefs” through the “Alabama Values” agenda. These are the points they intend to focus on:
Work ethic and job creation: Republicans aim to increase Alabama’s labor force participation, the percentage of working-age people who are employed or seeking jobs. Alabama’s labor force participation was at 57.6% in November, lower than the national rate of 62.5% and among the lowest in the country.
Border protection: Republicans say they want to discourage illegal migrants from coming to Alabama and called open border policies “irresponsible.”
Honest elections: They want to block efforts to repeal what they call election protection laws and add measures to “keep elections honest.”
Public safety: Bolstering law enforcement support is a priority. Republicans also say they want to fight crime while retaining gun rights.
Public education: Public education programs that earned desired results may get more funding. They plan to address programs that fall short.
Military and veterans: Republicans aim to ease the transition of military families coming to Alabama, provide support while they’re here and encourage them to stay once their service ends.
Innocent life and families: Republicans say they’re committed to pro-life policies.
Common sense: Republicans say they aim to push back against “woke” policies and retain “morals.”
House Democrats will release their agenda Tuesday.
Gov. Kay Ivey will announce her legislative priorities during the State of the State address on Feb. 4, the first day of the session.
The City of Dothan’s sanitary sewer contractor will be working in the 200 Block of W. Main Street, between S. Oates Street and S. Lena Street, beginning Monday, January 27th from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. and continuing through Friday, January 31st.
Lane closures and shifts will occur during this time. Traffic cones and digital arrow signs will be used to direct motorists.
Please drive cautiously in the work area and be mindful of crews working in the roadway.
Circuit Houston and Henry County Court Watch for Judicial January.27,2025
HOUSTON COUNTY:
CV-Circuit-Civil:
38-CV-2025-90034.00 Malcolm Williams Vs City of Dothan ( Negligence-General) with Judge
Todd Derrick
38-CV-2025-90035.00 Southeast Health FKA Southeast Alabama Medical Center Vs Gregory
Carroll English (Account Collection) $31313.26 with Judge Christopher Richardson
DV-District-Civil:
38-DV-2025-900089.00 Coggins Rental Properties Vs James Turner (Unlawful Detainer) $600.00
with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-DV-2025-900084.00 Luxurious Living LLC Vs Nakeithan Wheeler (Unlawful Detainer)
$5901.00 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-DV-2025-900085.00 Luxurious Living LLC Vs Antwanecita W Baxter (Unlawful Detainer)
$2046.00 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-DV-2025-900086.00 Luxurious Living LLC Vs Avis Tyson (Unlawful Detainer) $5670.00 with
Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-DV-2025-900087.00 1st Franklin Financial Corporation Vs Douglas F Alexander
(Contract/EJMNT/SEIZU) with Judge Lori Collier Ingram
38-DV-2025-900088.00 MBA Properties LLC Vs Thomas Allen (Unlawful Detainer) $1700.00 with
Judge Benjamin Lewis
SM-Small Claims:
38-SM-2025-900342.00 Navy Federal Credit Union Vs Juan R Tapia Jr (Account Collection)
$4160.63 with Judge Lori Collier Ingram
38-SM-2025-900343.00 Triad of Alabama LLC Flowers Hospital Vs Joshua Wadkins (Account
Collection) $300.00 with Judge Lori Collier Ingram
38-SM-2025-900344.00 Southeast Health FKA Southeast Alabama Medical Center Vs Nicole
Ingram (Account Collection) $303.75 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-SM-2025-900345.00 Southeast Health FKA Southeast Alabama Medical Center Vs Roquel
Danicia Horne-Calhoun (Account Collection) $803.14 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-SM-2025-900346.00 Southeast Health FKA Southeast Alabama Medical Center Vs Nehemiah
Miquel Strunk (Account Collection) $803.14with Judge Lori Collier Ingram
38-SM-2025-900347.00 Southeast Health FKA Southeast Alabama Medical Center Vs Willie
Frank Hill (Account Collection) $325.00 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-SM-2025-900348.00 Southeast Health FKA Southeast Alabama Medical Center Vs Heather
Ann McDuffie (Account Collection) $293.75 with Judge Lori Collier Ingram
38-SM-2025-900349.00 Southeast Health FKA Southeast Alabama Medical Center Vs Molly G
White (Account Collection) $970.00with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-SM-2025-900350.00 Southeast Health FKA Southeast Alabama Medical Center Vs Michael
Tew DBA Tremco Services (Account Collection) $985.83 with Judge Lori Collier Ingram
38-SM-2025-900351.00 Southern Lumber Vs Exterior Trim DBA Jaime Dirio (Account Collection)
$1528.25 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-SM-2025-900352.00 Southeast Health FKA Southeast Alabama Medical Center Vs Sherry
Ann Grubbs (Account Collection) $819.64 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-SM-2025-900353.00 Southern Lumber Supply Vs Bob Smith DBA RCS Const (Account
Collection) $3391.78 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-SM-2025-900354.00 Southeast Health FKA Southeast Alabama Medical Center Vs Bradley
Nicholas Caesar (Account Collection) $300.00 with Judge Lori Collier Ingram
38-SM-2025-900355.00 Southeast Health FKA Southeast Alabama Medical Center Vs Whitney
Sherron McCoy (Account Collection) $1653.43 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-SM-2025-900356.00 Southeast Health FKA Southeast Alabama Medical Center Vs Maclon
Tomarco Rodgers Jr (Account Collection) $3111.32 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-SM-2025-900357.00 Southeast Health FKA Southeast Alabama Medical Center Vs Tina
Michael Hope (Account Collection) $6329.55 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-SM-2025-900358.00 Southeast Health FKA Southeast Alabama Medical Center Vs Danielle
Ashlyn Hudson (Account Collection) $1581.79 with Judge Lori Collier Ingram
38-SM-2025-900359.00 Southeast Health FKA Southeast Alabama Medical Center Vs Cynthia
Lynn Emmanuel (Account Collection) $2144.22 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-SM-2025-900360.00 Midland Credit Management Inc Vs Letitia Paramore (Account
Collection) $2200.53 with Judge Lori Collier Ingram
CC-Circuit-Criminal:
Judge Derrick had 5 cases for Possess/Receipt Cont X 2, Receiving Stolen Pro, Insurance Fraud
1 st and Fales Reporting to Police.
DC-District-Criminal:
Judge Lewi had 13 cases for Possess/Receipt Cont X 5, Trespass 3rd , Burglary 3rd X 2, Hunt no
Hunter Orang X 2, No Ant Buck/Turkey Hunter and Possess Marijuana 2nd .
TR-Traffic:
Judge Lewis had 9 cases for Drive W/Suspended X 2, Speeding X 7.
Herny County:
DC-District-Criminal:
Judge Danzey had 4 cases for Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Govt Operations, Obstruct Justice
and Theft of Property 1st .
TR-Traffic:
Judge Danzey had 66 cases ranging from Speeding. Move Over Law Violet, No Driver License,
Fail Display Insurance, Expired License and Improper Light.
