51-year-old woman faces murder charges

Tuscaloosa police officers detained a 51-year-old woman after an alleged shooting on the evening of April 14. Following the incident, a 36-year-old man was taken to a medical facility for a gunshot wound and ultimately succumbed to his injuries, according to a representative of the Tuscaloosa Metro Homicide Unit. Police took the woman into custody on charges of murder.

The incident transpired at a truck stop in McCalla at approximately 6 p.m., police allege. Investigators said they do not think the woman planned to kill the man, who had a long-term relationship with the woman’s son. That relationship resulted in tension among all the involved parties, according to police. On the night of the incident, the 36-year-old man and the woman’s son allegedly summoned the woman to the truck stop to discuss issues such as helping them move. Police said that the three individuals talked briefly before the son went back to his vehicle. The 36-year-old man and the woman reportedly continued their conversation. As the 36-year-old man turned to leave, the woman took out a hand gun and fired the weapon, according to police.

The woman remained at the truck stop until authorities arrived. Police said they suspect the woman’s motive for the alleged shooting was rooted in the ‘violent” relationship the 36-year-old man reportedly had with her son. Police called the incident a matter of ‘a family having issues” and not a hate crime.

When someone faces murder charges, authorities take the suspected motive and surrounding circumstances into consideration. In a case like this one, a criminal defense attorney might negotiate with the prosecution prior to a trial. The lawyer may convince the state that a murder charge is not warranted, but that it should be reduced to manslaughter or some other lesser charge.

Source: WBRC, “Woman charged with murder after shooting at McCalla truck stop“, April 15, 2014