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Thread: Jeffrey Lee McKelvey Sentenced to Five Consecutive Life Terms in 2015 AL Murder of Denie and Pam Tucker

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    Jeffrey Lee McKelvey Sentenced to Five Consecutive Life Terms in 2015 AL Murder of Denie and Pam Tucker


    Denie and Pam Tucker



    August 16, 2016

    Murder defendant will testify against Decatur man


    One of two men with Decatur ties charged with capital murder in the 2015 killing of a Marshall County couple has pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the other.

    Henry Martin Pyle, 54, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the lesser charge of murder in the deaths of Denie and Pam Tucker, whose bodies were found in their Asbury home Sept. 11, court records show.

    As a condition of the plea, which was reached Monday, Pyle agreed to testify against Jeffrey Lee McKelvey, 46, of Decatur, who is facing the death penalty, court records show. Authorities have said Pyle has ties to Decatur, but he told court officials he is homeless.

    “This certainly changes the whole landscape of the case having somebody that says they’re going to testify against my client,” said McKelvey’s defense attorney, Jake Watson, of Huntsville.

    Prosecutors have said a fingerprint found on a glass storm door placed McKelvey in the Tucker home about the time of the killings.

    At an earlier court hearing, investigators said McKelvey had approached the Tuckers at the Cracker Barrel in Cullman with a story his daughter had been in a wreck and he’d left his wallet at home. Denie Tucker gave him $60 and his address so he could repay the money, investigators said.

    McKelvey and Pyle were accused of later going to the Tucker home and robbing and killing the couple.

    “McKelvey maintains that he’s innocent of the capital murder charges and that Pyle doesn’t have any credibility and is just trying to save his own skin,” Watson said. “He also maintains that certainly the victims were very good people and well thought of in the community.”

    A friend of the victims, Russell Tucker, who is not related to the couple, said he is glad some justice has been served in the case.

    “I’m glad at least (Pyle) is going to do a life sentence,” Tucker said. “I hope the other guy gets the death penalty.”

    Denie and Pam Tucker, who owned Tucker Milling LLC, a company that makes animal feed, also were involved with the local organization of the National Barrel Horse Association.

    “Me and Denie and Pam were real good friends, and they both were real good people,” Russell Tucker said. “They were just trying to help somebody and got killed. If anybody was down or had a problem, Denie and Pam were always willing to help any way they could.”

    McKelvey has a long history of encounters with law enforcement, beginning in 1986 in Limestone County with charges of second-degree burglary and forgery. He was charged with third-degree burglary in Morgan County in 1989. In 1990, he was charged with first-degree burglary and marijuana possession, and in 1991 with theft.

    In June, he was ordered to pay $25 per month in restitution for a 1991 burglary for which he was charged as a habitual offender. He was sentenced to 21 years for the crime, which police said involved stealing office and kitchen supplies and checks from a Decatur Masonic lodge and from an insurance agency.

    McKelvey was arrested in 1990 trying to cash one of the stolen checks, according to police, while out of jail on bond for other crimes.

    Pyle has been convicted of three prior felonies in Jackson and Madison counties, including theft and possession of a controlled substance.

    His plea agreement on the murder deal lists him as a habitual offender.

    Although only two people were killed, McKelvey is charged with five counts of capital murder. Two counts are for each victim’s death during a burglary and two counts are for each killing during a robbery. An additional count is for the deaths of two or more people during one crime spree.

    Watson said the plea deal could speed up the trial process for McKelvey.

    “It should at least make it easier to get the case to trial, but there’s still a lot of work that has to be done since they’re seeking the death penalty,” Watson said. “We’re really just getting started.”

    McKelvey is being held in Marshall County Jail without bail.

    If convicted, the minimum sentence McKelvey faces is life in prison without the possibility of parole.

    http://www.decaturdaily.com/news/loc...26e051cbd.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    ​Death Penalty Trial Moves Forward for Jeffrey Lee McKelvey

    The capital murder trial for Jeffrey Lee McKelvey is expected to make the Marshall County Court docket later this year, though a trial date has not been set.

    http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/in...labama.html#10
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Prosecutors in Marshall County seek deposition from key witness in capital murder case due to failing health

    By Stephen McLamb
    WAFF News

    GUNTERSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - A judge in Marshall County sets an August trial date for a man facing five counts of capital murder.

    But prosecutors asked for and got a special deposition for their prime witness.

    Prosecutors asked the judge for the deposition because their main witness was in failing health.

    Jeffrey Lee McKelvey appeared before a Marshall County judge on Thursday to learn the day he was to go on trial.

    He's charged with the capital murders of Denie and Pam Tucker.

    The Tuckers were killed in their Asbury home back in October 2015.

    Prosecutors have said McKelvey and Henry Martin Pyle went to the Tucker's home to rob the couple so McKelvey could pay his court ordered fines and restitution. Pyle told the court in 2016 they stole rifles which were sold to drug dealers and jewelry which was later taken and melted down.

    It was during that hearing Pyle agreed to a plea deal to murder and part of the deal was for him to testify against McKelvey.

    Prosecutors in the hearing this morning requested for a deposition of Pyle as soon as possible because he's now diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and may be unable to testify several months down the road.

    Prosecutors said they hoped Pyle would be able to testify but if not they would use his deposition at McKelvey's trial.

    The date for that deposition is set for March 11.

    The judge set McKelvey’s trial date for Aug. 12.

    http://www.waff.com/2019/02/22/prose...ailing-health/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Tuckers murder trial begins Monday

    Prosecution seeks death penalty for McKelvey

    By Sand Mountain Reporter

    The capital murder trial of Jeff McKelvey is scheduled to begin Monday, Aug. 12, in Criminal Court in Guntersville. It will be the first capital trial in Marshall County since 2012, when Jessie Phillips was convicted of the 2009 shooting deaths of his wife and their unborn child in a carwash at Warrenton.

    McKelvey is charged with killing Denie and Pam Tucker during a robbery of their home on Pea Ridge Road near Asbury. According to past testimony at hearings in the case, McKelvey approached Denie Tucker at the Cracker Barrel in Cullman with a fake story about how he didn’t have money and was trying to go check on his daughter who’d been in a wreck.

    Denie gave him $60. The stranger insisted he wanted to repay him. Denie gave McKelvey a business card with his address on it.

    McKelvey and an associate, Henry Pyle, later went to the Tuckers’ home to rob them. Pyle pled guilty earlier and is serving a life sentence. He is expected to be a key witness at the trial.

    It would likely take at least two days to select a jury for the case, possibly longer, meaning opening statements and testimony could start on Wednesday or Thursday following jury selection.

    Marshall County District Attorney Everett Johnson and Chief Assistant District Attorney Ed Kellett will prosecute the case. Johnson said they intend to seek the death penalty. The defense attorneys are Brian White of Decatur and Kevin Hanson of Albertville.

    The Tuckers’ deaths occurred in September of 2015. A fingerprint on the door of the Tuckers’ home led police to McKelvey.

    McKelvey, who lived in Decatur, had a criminal past. Prosecutors said previously he had been in and out of prison.

    http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/...36047daf1.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Trial begins for Tucker murders | Victims’ son, house cleaner testify; key witness set for next week

    By Taylor Beck
    Sand Mountain Reporter

    After a jury was finalized Wednesday afternoon, the capital murder trial against Jeff McKelvey began Thursday.

    McKelvey was charged for allegedly killing Denie and Pam Tucker in 2015 while robbing the couple’s home on Pea Ridge Road near Asbury.

    The prosecution, led by Marshall County District Attorney Everett Johnson and Chief Assistant District Attorney Ed Kellett, and McKelvey’s defense, led by attorneys Kevin Hanson and Brian White, began the trial with opening statements Thursday morning. Judge Tim Riley is presiding over the case. During opening statements, the defense asked jurors to keep an open mind throughout the entire process, hear both sides and let the evidence decide the case.

    The first witness to testify was Scott Tucker, the victims’ son. Tucker was the first to find his parents’ bodies. Tucker spoke about how he and his parents were supposed to attend a football game that Friday night. He said he knew something was wrong when he didn’t hear from them. That’s when he decided to go check on them. The defense chose not to cross-examine Tucker.

    The second to testify was Asbury Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Baker. He was a first responder called to the Tuckers home. Baker knew the victims from his time working on their farm. He lived about five minutes away from the Tuckers. There was a brief cross-examination by the defense, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

    Thursday’s final witness was the Tuckers’ house cleaner, Stephanie Baker.

    A fingerprint found on the front, glass door of the Tuckers’ home led police to McKelvey in 2015. The District Attorney’s Office said the prosecution asked Baker how often she cleaned the door, and Baker was adamant in saying she cleaned both sides of the glass each Thursday. Because McKelvey’s fingerprint was found, the District Attorney’s Office pointed out that the murders must have happened later that evening. The defense chose not to cross-examine Baker.

    Corey Brown, who was the case’s lead investigator at the time, testified Friday. Brown is now an investigator at the State Fire Marshal’s office.

    Henry Pyle, an associate of McKelvey who plead guilty earlier and is now serving a life sentence, is expected to testify as a key witness next week, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

    The District Attorney’s Office anticipates the trial lasting up to another two weeks. It is the first murder trial in Marshall County since 2012.

    http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/...a218bf4e2.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    New details in 2015 Marshall County double murder shared at trial

    By McKinley Struther
    WAFF News

    MARSHALL COUNTY, Ala. (WAFF) - The lead investigator in a high-profile capital murder case was back on the stand Monday.

    Jeffrey McKelvey is on trial for the September 2015 murders of Denie and Pam Tucker.

    His co-defendant, Henry Pyle, pleaded guilty and is serving a life sentence. Earlier this year amid a number of health concerns, he testified against McKelvey.

    The prosecution began questioning Monday before resting to the defense before lunch.

    In a video testimony, Pyle detailed their whereabouts the days before and after the crime.

    Pyle, 57, testified that he and McKelvey were co-workers and roommates.

    When both lost their jobs in July 2015, they started ‘gas hustling’ along Interstate 65. As a way to make money they made up elaborate stories to con money out of people. In most cases it involved a false narrative about Pyle’s daughter being hospitalized and the pair in desperate need of a few dollars to see her. They made thousands off of this scheme, according to Pyle.

    It was just by chance that the Tucker’s parked beside the pair at a Cullman Cracker Barrel restaurant. The scheme was used on Denie Tucker who gave them $60.

    McKelvey and Pyle insisted on paying Tucker back, so he gave them a business card with his number and address.

    Pyle testified that they saw Mr. Tucker with what seemed like $10,000. Days later they decided to ‘pay him back.'

    The pair drove to the Tucker’s Marshall County home, robbed and killed them, according to Pyle.

    In his testimony, he explained after they forced their way inside that Mrs. Tucker ran to the back bedrooms while Mr. Tucker ran out the backdoor.

    Pyle went after Mr. Tucker and got into a fight with him outside. McKelvey was inside with Mrs. Tucker when several gunshots were heard by Pyle outside.

    He says McKelvey came outside, grabbed Mr. Tucker and escorted him inside. Ultimately, McKelvey shot and killed both wife and husband, according to Pyle’s testimony.

    Once the couple was dead, McKelvey and Pyle searched the house for money. They left with $19,980 in cash and 6 guns. The split their findings evenly.

    At the same time they were scamming people out of money, they both became addicted to drugs like cocaine.

    In the weeks after the crime, Pyle says they blew through the money with drugs, prostitutes and other financial obligations.

    The lead investigator explained they found McKelvey’s truck at an impound lot in Birmingham. Police had the abandoned truck towed off the Interstate.

    Forensic tests were taken on the truck.

    In an effort to find any activity that would lead back to the Tucker’s, investigators used an online database called “Leads Online” to see if anything belonging to the couple was pawned in the weeks after their murder.

    Several hits popped up in the Birmingham area.

    The investigator testified that security footage and transaction documentation proved McKelvey pawned items at Easy Pawn and Cash America pawn shops. In both cases, the pawned goods were pieces of jewelry that belonged to Pam Tucker.

    While no murder weapon was ever found, it is believed a .40 caliber gun was used in the murders. Investigators made this judgement based on the shell casings on scene.

    Pyle led investigators to a Blount County bridge where it is believed the murder weapon was dumped. On the stand, the investigator said due to the conditions it was not worth a deep search as nothing was likely to be recovered.

    Fingernail clippings from the victims, jewelry at the Tucker’s home as well as a safe containing $25,000 were all taken in for forensic tests. In most cases, the results were of no value to the case.

    https://www.waff.com/2019/08/19/new-...-shared-trial/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Trial for Tucker murders continues | Key witness testifies, closing arguments slated for Monday

    By Staff Reports
    Sand Mountain Reporter

    Week two of the capital murder trial against Jeff McKelvey was highlighted by the pre-recorded testimony of his associate, Henry Pyle.

    McKelvey was charged for allegedly killing Denie and Pam Tucker in 2015 while robbing the couple’s home on Pea Ridge Road near Asbury. Pyle and McKelvey were co-workers and roommates. After both quit their jobs, the two began “gas hustling” for money.

    That’s how they came in contact with the Tuckers.

    In his testimony, Pyle said the duo’s intention was to only rob the Tuckers’ home, but McKelvey had other plans. While robbing the Tuckers, Pyle said McKelvey showed his gun and the Tuckers ran. Pam went in one direction while Denie ran outside.

    While he was outside with Denie, Pyle said he heard several gunshots. Pyle said McKelvey shot both Tuckers. Once the couple was killed, Pyle said he and McKelvey took everything they could and fled to Birmingham. Pyle said he threw the gun out the window while traveling across a bridge, believed to be in Blount County. He said McKelvey always drove. The gun has not been recovered.

    According to Pyle, the two spent all the money on drugs and prostitutes in a matter of weeks while living out of hotels in Birmingham. Prostitutes were brought into the courtroom to testify and confirm Pyle’s story.

    Experts were also brought in to discuss the finger print analysis and the autopsy of the Tuckers.

    Marshall County District Attorney Everett Johnson and Chief Assistant District Attorney Ed Kellett is leading the prosecution against McKelvey. Attorneys Kevin Hanson and Brian White lead McKelvey’s defense. Judge Tim Riley is presiding over the case.

    The defense and the State elected to rest Friday. Closing arguments will take place Monday at 9.m.

    http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/...43c73184b.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    MARSHALL COUNTY JURY FINDS MAN GUILTY FOR FIVE COUNTS OF CAPITAL MURDER

    By Ashley Thusius
    WAAY News

    A Marshall County jury found Jeff McKelvey guilty on Monday for five counts of capital murder in the shooting deaths of Denie and Pamela Tucker.

    According to the indictment filed in May of 2016, McKelvey was charged with capital murder of two or more persons, two counts of committing capital murder during a robbery first-degree and two counts of committing capital murder during a burglary first-degree.

    At this time, court documents do not show a sentencing date for McKelvey.

    https://www.waaytv.com/content/news/...558388201.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  9. #9
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    MAN GETS LIFE SENTENCE IN MARSHALL COUNTY MURDER CASE

    By Ashley Thusius
    WAAY News

    Jeffery McKelvey was sentenced on Tuesday to five consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole, court documents show.

    A Marshall County jury found McKelvey guilty on Monday for five counts of capital murder in the shooting deaths of Denie and Pamela Tucker.

    According to the indictment filed in May of 2016, McKelvey was charged with capital murder of two or more persons, two counts of committing capital murder during a robbery first-degree and two counts of committing capital murder during a burglary first-degree.

    https://www.waaytv.com/content/news/...558517751.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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