Charged with a brutal murder and a violent sexual assault in Washington County, David Earl Gipson was denied bond at his first appearance before a judge Wednesday.
A passerby Monday found a woman severely beaten on the side of the road in Washington County, who later told authorities Gipson had gone to her home and attacked her and her mother-in-law.
The victim said he bound and gagged her and brought her to his home, where he beat her, sexually assaulted her, and then put her in a container in his yard. The victim managed to escape.
Investigators later found the victim’s 74-year-old mother-in-law dead, beaten to death.
A multi-agency manhunt later brought Gipson into custody in a wooded area.
Gipson faces charges of murder, sexual battery, aggravated battery with a weapon and false imprisonment.
He had a long criminal history before these charges; among his 33 felonies include charges like arson and burglary.
ASHFORD – COWARTS – DOTHAN: This article is posted while sitting in front of the Alabama State House in Montgomery.
Before 6 AM Houston County 911 dispatched Ashford Rescue, Ashford Fire, Ashford Police and Houston County Sheriff Deputies to a wreck with injuries, Highway 84 and County Road 55. The accident involved a dump truck and another vehicle. There was heavy damage with minor injuries. Ashford Police Officer Larry Flowers investigated.
COWARTS: 07:45 AM. Houston County 911 dispatched a motor vehicle accident with injuries, Hwy. 84 and Broadway in Cowarts. The accident was in front of Ronnie’s Men’s and Boy’s.
Houston County Sheriff Chief Deputy Jeff Carlisle was the first officer on the scene. Reports were four cars involved.
The injuries were not reported as serious.
ALEA – Troopers are in charge of the investigation. Houston County Sheriff Deputies, Cowarts Volunteer Fire, Ashford Rescue responded.
DOTHAN: 07:50 AM. Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Fire, Dothan Police and Pilcher Ambulance to a wreck with injuries, Ross Clark Circle and Denton Road. Reports are minor injuries. Dothan Police is in charge of the accident investigation.
Imagine driving in downtown Dothan and seeing a man holding what looks to be an RPG.
Several people called out Dothan Police to respond to a man walking around holding what looked to be a rocket propelled grenade launcher but was actually a fake.
Keyun Marquez Hill, 26, from Cowarts, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Hoax Destructive Device and booked into the Dothan City Jail. The hoax device was seized and placed into evidence.
Hill described himself as a social media prankster filming content.
“Entertainment takes many forms, however behavior such as this that alarms numerous people and can cause panic in a public space cannot be tolerated,” said Dothan Police. “We urge social media content creators to use common sense when practicing their craft.”
Reports of guns stolen from the Geneva County Sheriff’s Office led county commissioners to call for a broad and external investigation of the sheriff’s office.
Commissioners unanimously authorized the external investigation, which could include among others the State Bureau of Investigation, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Alabama Department of Examiners and the Alabama Ethics Commission.
Commissioner Weston Spivey called what he’s seen from the sheriff’s office “disturbing.”
Spivey alleged Sheriff Tony Helms’ relative Cody Johnson stole property from Helms — property which included multiple weapons, which were not held at the Sheriff’s Office, but instead at a a personal property of Helms.
Spivey also questioned why sheriff’s office vehicles were seen in other places and possibly not being used for emergencies.
Commissioner Jeff Hatcher further questioned why Helms hired former Samson police chief Jimmy Hill, who allegedly left the department for mishandling weapons.
Johnson’s arrest is still under investigation.
Sheriff Tony Helms said the investigation was not needed, as an active investigation is already underway from the state.
He said the State Bureau of Investigation was aware of why guns were stored outside of the Sheriff’s Office. He also said the guns and other equipment taken were not evidence, some of the stolen items including his person property. He said the guns stolen were there several years due to a lack of storage resources provided to the Sheriff’s Office.
Helms said the party responsible was in jail and was being held accountable.
“I hate it, I really do,” he said. “I didn’t steal. The person behind it is in jail.”
STEERS & BULLS (MEDIUM & LARGE 1 & 2 )
150-300 Lbs. up to 495.00
300-400 Lbs. up to 460.00
400-500 Lbs. up to 430.00
500-600 Lbs. up to 383.00
600-700 Lbs. up to 330.00
700-800 Lbs. up to 283.00
HEIFERS (MEDIUM & LARGE 1 & 2)
150-300 Lbs. up to 475.00
300-400 Lbs. up to 425.00
400-500 Lbs. up to 378.00
500-600 Lbs. up to 338.00
600-700 Lbs. up to 283.00
700-800 Lbs. up to 248.00
SLAUGHTER CLASSES
COWS
High Dressing up to 149.00
Breakers up to 146.00
Lean up to 140.00
Bulls up to 192.00
Replacement Classes
Bred Cows 2,190.00
Cow Calf Pairs 2,750.00
Slaughter classes steady to very firm. Replacement bred cows and pairs steady. Calves and feeder cattle absolutely on FIRE !!! Activity from all over and demand is AWESOME and keeps getting stronger!! LOOKING GOOD !! Fed Cattle in the West 210 to 216 with Iowa auctions to 230.00
NEXT MONDAY,5-5, WE WILL HAVE A COMPLETE HERD DISPERSAL OF 28 MOSTLY BLACK COWS WITH 19 CALVES AT SIDE AND 1 SIM/ANGUS BULL !!
