A mistrial was declared Thursday morning in the murder trial of Jessie Jerome Swain, one of three men accused in the 2007 killing of Dothan businessman Perry Griffin.
The mistrial followed testimony Wednesday from a police investigator who mentioned a suspect not formally charged in the case. Defense attorney Arthur Medley argued the statement prevented Swain from receiving a fair trial.
John Steensland, a Houston County Circuit Judge, agreed and granted the mistrial. A retrial has been scheduled for March, canceling the remainder of the two-day trial planned for this week.
Griffin was killed in 2007, but the case later went cold. In 2020, investigators announced arrests after developing new evidence, charging Swain along with Kevin Thornton. Kedrick Fitzgerald Bryant has been named as a suspect but has not been formally charged.
Thornton pleaded guilty on December 17 to a reduced misdemeanor charge of criminally negligent homicide as part of a plea agreement that included testifying against his alleged co-defendants. He was expected to testify this week before the mistrial was declared.
Authorities say Bryant is currently serving a lengthy sentence in an Alabama prison and will be charged upon his release.
Investigators say Griffin was preparing to leave Panhandle Converter in the early morning hours to purchase supplies and was carrying a large amount of cash, as he routinely did. Evidence indicated the suspects may have planned to restrain Griffin and move him to another location.
Authorities believe Griffin resisted, leading to a struggle during which a gun was fired, killing him. Approximately $35,000 was reported stolen. Two of the suspects arrested were employees of the now-defunct Dothan business.
A woman has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged sexual relationship involving a minor, according to law enforcement sources.
Authorities say the investigation began after police were notified of possible inappropriate conduct involving the suspect and a minor male. Sources allege the juvenile was a friend of the woman’s stepson and had been taken into her home.
During the investigation, law enforcement reportedly discovered videos on the minor’s cellphone that were determined to be evidence in the case. Following the findings, investigators moved forward with criminal charges.
The woman is currently facing the following charges:
Pornography Involving a Parent/Guardian and a Minor (Class I)
Distribution of Harmful Material to a Minor (two counts)
Sodomy in the Second Degree
Due to the nature of the allegations, authorities have not released additional details regarding the minor involved.
The case remains under investigation, and further information is expected to be released as it becomes available.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
DOTHAN: In keeping with his campaign pledge, District 4 Dothan Commissioner Dave Stock fulfilled one of his promises on Tuesday evening. Conducting a town hall meeting.
The meeting held in District 4 at the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, held a roomful of citizens. Stock introduced himself and background of his life. He then went onto tell the citizens when he speaks at the Dothan Commission Meeting, it is not to hear himself talk or get onto the news. He is speaking ot the citizens about matters and interests that he feels the public needs to know.
Dave Stock is very firm in his belief and very serious about his service as a public servant. He has a list of things he would like to see accomplished, but is a financial conservative. That he wants to have plans for Dothan and growth of things to accomplish. He stresses, with wants comes plans. That Dothan has to prepare for the future and know how to financially pay for those plans with the money they have.
Some ongoing projects, were decided on before he took office some three months ago. He gave his cell phone number out, his email, a web site of his own that he puts information out to the public. And he stressed that he wants the citizens feedback and suggestions.
Dave Stock loves Dothan and very appreciative of the trust the registered voters placed in him by electing him to serve. He shares some of the concerns voiced last evening and stressed he is one of only 7 votes. Some of the projects and ideas he agrees with, and some he does not. But some ongoing projects were approved before he took office.
A meeting that lasted about 2 1/2 hours of discussion. He answered questions when asked.
HOUSTON COUNTY: This afternoon Bart Booth took the Oath of Office for Houston County District Court Judge. The Oath of Office was admininstered by the Senior Judge of the 20th Judicial Circuit, the Honorable Butch Binford.
The Investiture ceremony was opened by 20th Judicial Circuit Presiding Judge, the Honorable John John Steensland. The Pledge was led by 20th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Chris Richardson. The prayer was led by Minister Travis Creasy, Preaching Minister of Westgate Church of Christ.
Recently District Court Judge Lori Ingram retired. After iinterviews by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Bart Booth was selected to fill the vacancy.
Bart Booth has been a practicing attorney in Dothan, Houston County for several years. Originally from Opp Alabama, Bart Booth and his family moved to Dothan Alabama and he opened up a law practice.
As District Court Judge, the public will not get to hear and see much of Bart Booth. The judgeship he is assigned is juvenile matters and the majority of the cases are closed and no dockets published. He brings ot the court a vast amount of experience in juvenile law and has represented the Alabama Department of Human Resources for many years.
Bart Booth’s life long friend, and mentor in the legal profession, Retired District Court Judge Frank “Trippy” McGuire spoke and gave history of Bart Booth. Judge McGuire served 21 years as Covington County District Court Judge and has known Bart Booth from birth forward.
Emergency crews responded to a reported food truck fire at Porter Square Mall, where the vehicle was described as fully involved upon arrival.
Initial reports indicate flames and heavy smoke coming from the food truck, prompting a quick response from fire crews who worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures.
At this time, there have been no confirmed reports of injuries. The cause of the fire has not yet been released, and officials have not said whether surrounding businesses were impacted.
This is a developing story. Rickey Stokes News will update as more information becomes available.
