• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Lives Have Less Value Now

Mike

Well-known member
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama --One of three teens charged in a 2012 shooting that left five people dead in an Ensley Highlands home has pleaded guilty to five counts of capital murder and was sentenced this morning.

Artavius Underwood, 19, of Fairfield, was on trial for capital murder in the Jan. 29, 2012 deaths of Charles ''C.J.'' Render, 21; Ronnie Render, 42; Demetrius Sanford, 19; Jeffrey Davis Jr., 23; and Jonathan Sanchez, 23.

Underwood was sentenced by Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Stephen Wallace under a plea deal with prosecutors to life in prison and will be eligible for parole.

Another robbery charge related to an earlier robbery that evening was dropped. Another capital murder related to the commission of multiple murders also was dropped under the deal.

The families of the five men were pleased with the deal. "Thank you Jesus," Antoinette Render, the mother of Charles Render and sister of Ronnie Render, said as she left the courtroom.

"He got life. I'm happy," said Haniel Sanchez, older brother of Jonathan Sanchez.

Underwood's mother declined comment as she left the courtroom. She had been with her son when defense attorneys Emory Anthony and Maria Fortune talked to Artavius Underwood about the possible plea.

Anthony said the plea deal does not call for Artavius Underwood to testify against the two other teens charged in the slayings - Reginald Mims and Rashad Stoves. Those two teens have trials set for this fall.

Opening statements and 14 witnesses had testified Tuesday in Underwood's trial. But the only two men to survive the shooting could not identify Underwood as being one of the three shooters. Also, the judge yesterday ruled that most of Underwood's statements to police were not admissible because detectives had not stopped the interrogations when he asked several times to speak with his mother.

Another witness who placed the three teens inside the house before the shooting was not believable, a few of the jurors said as they left the courtroom.

Anthony said prosecutors contacted them about 8 a.m. today about a possible plea deal. When facing five capital murder charges and there is an opportunity to get life with the possibility of parole, it is something you have to consider, he said.

There is "no way" the deal represents "equal justice" for the families of the five men who were gunned down, Anthony said. "We're just glad it's over with," he said.

Deputy Jefferson County District Attorney Michael Streety said they always do the best they can with the evidence they have. He said they take into consideration the totality of the circumstances in coming up with a plea deal. Also, he said prosecutors give "great weight" to the wishes of the victims' families.

Deputy Jefferson County District Attorney Amanda Kistler also prosecuted the case.
 

Latest posts

Top