Walker County Circuit Court Judge Jerry Selman, declared a mistrial on Tuesday afternoon as the jury was preparing to begin deliberations in the case of Daniel Lavale Williams, 27, of Graysville. Williams was facing robbery and assault charges when he shot himself in the head during a midday court recess.
Jasper Police Captain Larry Cantrell told reporters that the Jasper police responded to a report of gunshots at a Jasper cemetery off Highway 269 at about 12:00 P.M. They found Williams with a gunshot in his head. His girlfriend was with him in the cemetery. He died at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital where he was taken.
Four other co-defendants were also charged along with Williams. One testified against Williams and was sentenced to 20 years after pleading guilty. The others are set to appear in court in the next few months, said Walker County District Attorney Bill Adair.
Court records show that Williams and four other men broke into an Argo home on Dec. 29, 2007, where they robbed and pistol-whipped three women. As the men fled after the robbery, one of them shot into a nearby home, hitting a man in the chin as he was getting ready for work. All four victims survived after being treated at area hospitals.
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