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Thread: Marty Morgan and Keon Cain Sentenced to LWOP in 2017 AL Slaying of Eddie Scott, Anthony Smith, and Al Benson

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    Marty Morgan and Keon Cain Sentenced to LWOP in 2017 AL Slaying of Eddie Scott, Anthony Smith, and Al Benson


    Marty Morgan, left, Keon Cain




    Defendants in Prattville barbershop murders on the fast track to trial

    By Jennifer Horton
    WSFA 12 News

    PRATTVILLE, AL (WSFA) - The capital murder suspects charged in the Prattville barbershop murders are now on the fast-track to trial.

    Defendants Marty Morgan, 37, and Keon Cain, 20, are indicted on capital murder counts for reportedly shooting three people to death and nearly killing another at a barbershop on Highway 82 in July 2017.

    Both defendants appeared in court Thursday for a hearing to take up more than 30 defense motions related to their trials in 2019.

    The state is expected to seek the death penalty in both cases.

    Cain’s defense argued to ban the death penalty due to the defendant’s age at the time of the murders. The state argued against that motion and it was ultimately denied.

    Morgan's defense team filed more than 30 motions regarding his May 2019 trial.

    The majority of the motions were granted, most involved jury selection and issues relating to how the case would be presented to the jury.

    The defense teams are still seeking to suppress comments made by the defendants to police following their arrests.

    Morgan and Cain are charged with two counts of capital murder and burglary for the deaths of Eddie Scott, Anthony Smith, and Al Benson. Cain is also charged with first-degree robbery and attempted murder. There were injuries to a fourth victim who was shot multiple times but survived.

    Investigators believe the motive for the shooting was robbery. A game of dominoes was underway and between $2,000 and $3,000 were recovered later by investigators.

    Morgan is scheduled to stand trial first in May 2019.

    https://www.wsfa.com/2018/12/13/defe...t-track-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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    Morgan pleads guilty to capital murder in Prattville barbershop massacre

    By Marty Roney
    Montgomery Adviser

    PRATTVILLE — Marty Morgan has pleaded guilty to capital murder in the Prattville barbershop massacre.

    This plea agreement turns Morgan into a state witness, who will testify against Cain in his upcoming trial set for July.

    Morgan, 36, made the plea Friday morning before Circuit Judge Bill Lewis. Morgan pleaded guilty to one count of capital murder. He faced three counts of capital murder, court record show.

    Capital murder charges are being sought because the murders allegedly occurred in the commission of a robbery and resulted in two or more victims from the same criminal act, the indictments read.

    Sentencing for Morgan was not set. The plea deal reads that Morgan will give “truthful” testimony against his co-defendant, Keon Caine. Caine also faces three counts of capital murder. The recommended sentence is life in prison without the possibility of parole.

    The only other sentence in a capital murder conviction is the death penalty.

    Assistant District Attorney Josh Cochran addressed the court and told Lewis what evidence the state expected to present. Cochran said Morgan struck Eddie Dean Scott and Al Seals Benson in the head with a cinder block, causing their death by blunt force trauma. Previous testimony during preliminary hearings brought out that Morgan also shot both men with a handgun. Anthony Smith, owner of the barbershop, was allegedly shot by Caine with a 410.ga. shotgun inside the business.

    Smith staggered out of the barbershop and collapsed in the parking lot of a convenience store located next door. Caine approached Smith and shot him in the back of the head, killing him, Cochran said.

    Morgan agreed to Cochran’s version of the facts. Caine’s trial is set for July 22, also before Lewis. Caine’s attorneys, Jay Taylor and Richard Lively, could not be reached for comment for this story.

    Circuit Judge Ben Fuller issued a gag order in the case in the early stages.

    The crime, with multiple victims well-known in the community, shocked Prattville, a city that prides itself on a low crime rate. At the time, Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson labeled the incident an armed robbery gone wrong at the Hook-Up Barber and Style Shop. The business is near the intersection of U.S. Highway 82 and Highway 14.

    Morgan allegedly knocked on the door of the shop about 10:40 p.m. on July 3, 2017. He was allegedly armed with a small caliber handgun, Jeremy Thompson, a Prattville Police Department investigator testified during a preliminary hearing. Jeremy Thompson is not related to Mark Thompson. Keon Cain, his co-defendant, was allegedly right behind him, armed with a pump shotgun and wearing a mask, Jeremy Thompson said.

    Anthony Smith, owner of the business, wouldn’t let anyone inside at that time of night, unless he knew them, witnesses told police. Smith knew Morgan, Jeremy Thompson said.

    “Witnesses said Morgan came in and said ‘You know what time it is,’ and ‘Give it up.” Jeremy Thompson testified. “So the witnesses thought it was a robbery.”

    Cain allegedly went to a table where four men were playing dominoes and allegedly said “Give it up,” Jeremy Thompson said. Witnesses said Eddie Dean Scott, 56, of Autauga County, grabbed the shotgun, and Morgan allegedly came over and shot Scott in the top of the head with the handgun, Jeremy Thompson said.

    Scott died later at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, he said. Al Seals Benson, 50, of Elmore County, was found dead in the business with “shrapnel” wounds from the handgun to both legs, Thompson said. Scott and Benson died of blunt force trauma, the capital murder indictments read. Smith made it outside.

    Security camera footage from the Bee Line convenience store next door showed Smith, 46, of Autauga County, staggering into the frame holding his left side, Thompson said. Autopsy results brought out that Smith had been shot in the chest with the 410 ga. shotgun that was loaded with birdshot, Jeremy Thompson said. Pellets lodged in his lung and heart, he said.

    Smith fell down once, got up and continued to stagger toward the store, when he fell a second time, just in front of the doors of the business, Jeremy Thompson said. He lay their motionless for a short time, Jeremy Thompson said. Cain allegedly approached Smith as he lay on the ground then “Shot him in the back of the head with the shotgun,” Jeremy Thompson testified.

    In a prior interview, chief Assistant District Attorney C.J. Robinson labeled the murders as “executions,” and called the scene, “disturbing.”

    https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com...re/3513650002/
    "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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    Defense seeks venue change in Prattville barbershop murder case

    By Jennifer Horton
    WSFA12 News

    PRATTVILLE, Ala. (WSFA) - Judge Bill Lewis will soon rule on whether the capital murder trial of Keon Cain, charged in the 2017 barbershop murders, should be moved to another venue.

    Cain is indicted on capital murder counts for the deaths of Eddie Scott, Anthony Smith, and Al Benson at a Prattville barbershop in July 2017. The state is seeking the death penalty.

    Cain’s attorneys argued the media coverage of the murders and the subsequent arrests saturated headlines and airways with sensational stories and articles.

    “From the time of the murders going into today this matter has been prevalent is the news and remains in the news,” stated Cain’s defense attorney Carlton Taylor.

    The state denied those claims. Prosecutor Josh Cochrane read aloud three headlines the defense listed as problematic, stating all were factual and weren’t sensational.

    “The words, ‘suspect’ and ‘alleged’ were used - nothing suggests the defendant is guilty,” said Cochrane. “Just because we’ve had media accounts published, they may even detail heinous crimes that have been committed - that itself isn’t enough to meet the burden for a change of venue.”

    Cochrane argued the jury selection process would give them ample opportunity to identify any bias.

    The defense listed multiple links from WSFA 12 News and Montgomery Advertiser as examples of articles that have prejudiced the potential jury pool in Autauga County.

    Judge Lewis told the defense he had read all their stories and asked specifically what information was sensational and incorrect.

    “I find the reporting has been reasonably responsible,” Lewis stated.

    Taylor asked Lewis for 14 days to submit hard copies of the articles in question, which was granted.

    “There’s just so much in these articles no jury trial should have access to,” Taylor said.

    Lewis is expected to rule on the motion shortly after receiving the articles.

    The state is seeking the death penalty in this case which is slated for late July.

    Cain’s co-defendant Marty Morgan pleaded guilty to one count of capital murder in April.

    https://www.wsfa.com/2019/06/14/defe...p-murder-case/
    "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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    Edited:

    Capital murder trial logjam in Autauga may be coming to an end

    By Marty Roney
    Montgomery Advertiser

    PRATTVILLE — The logjam of capital murder cases in Autauga County, going back to 2016 and 2017, may be breaking.

    Two cases are set for trial this summer, Keon Cain’s trial is scheduled to begin the week of July 22; and Santwone Cornelius Jones’ trial on unrelated charges is on the docket for the week beginning Sept. 16. A third case, that of Willie Foster, is yet to be set.

    There are gag orders in place in all cases, meaning prosecutors and attorneys can’t comment. Information for this story came from court records or action in previous hearings or court proceedings.

    The trials of Cain and Jones are expected to each take two weeks, including the penalty phase. If both men are convicted of capital murder, the penalty phase begins immediately. The same jury will hear evidence from the prosecution and defense and then determine the sentence. The only two options in a capital conviction are life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty

    The death penalty is on the table in both cases, according to previous comments from the district attorney’s office before the gag orders were in place.

    Cain, of Prattville, faces three counts of capital murder in a July 3, 2017 triple homicide.

    Assistant District Attorney Josh Cochran addressed the court and told Circuit Judge Bill Lewis what evidence the state expected to present during Marty Morgan’s guilty plea last month. Morgan, 36, of Prattville, is Cain’s co-defendant. He pled guilty to one count of capital murder.

    Cochran said Morgan struck Eddie Dean Scott and Al Seals Benson in the head with a cinder block, causing their death by blunt force trauma. Previous testimony during preliminary hearings brought out that Morgan also shot both men with a handgun. Anthony

    Smith, owner of the barbershop, was allegedly shot by Cain with a 410.ga. shotgun inside the business.

    Smith staggered out of the barbershop and collapsed in the parking lot of a convenience store located next door. Cain approached Smith and allegedly shot him in the back of the head, killing him, Cochran said.

    The crime, with multiple victims well-known in the community, shocked Prattville, a city that prides itself on a low crime rate. At the time, Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson labeled the incident an armed robbery gone wrong at the Hook-Up Barber and Style Shop. The business is near the intersection of U.S. Highway 82 and Highway 14.

    Morgan has not been sentenced. He is expected to testify against Cain.

    https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com...ga/1487046001/
    "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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    Edited:

    Trial date set in Prattville barbershop massacre

    By Marty Roney
    Montgomery Advertiser

    PRATTVILLE — A trial date has been set in a high-profile Prattville capital murder case.

    Keon Cain, 21, of Prattville, faces three counts of capital murder in a July 3, 2017, triple homicide at the Hook-Up Barber and Style Shop. The two week trial is set to begin the week of March 9. Circuit Judge Bill Lewis set the date during a status hearing in Autauga County Circuit Court on Wednesday.

    However, Cain’s court date has been set before and moved due to scheduling conflicts and subsequent requests from the defense for various hearings. Lewis has yet to rule on the defense’s request for a change of venue. Defense attorneys cited pre-trial publicity as a reason for moving the trial out of Autauga County.

    Morgan has not been sentenced. He is expected to testify against Cain.

    https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com...re/4098149002/
    "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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    Edited:

    Jury selection in trial of man accused in triple killing at Prattville barbershop gets underway

    By Marty Roney
    Montgomery Advertiser

    PRATTVILLE — Jury selection began Monday for a man who faces three counts of capital murder in connection to a 2017 triple homicide at the Hook-Up Barber and Style Shop in Prattville.

    The trial of Keon Cain, 21, of Prattville, is expected to take two weeks. Circuit Judge Bill Lewis is presiding.

    There is a gag order in the case, barring prosecutors and defense attorneys from commenting outside the courtroom.

    The selection process is expected to take two days. Circuit Clerk Deb Hill sent out notices to 500 people, about twice the number for the jury pool on a given criminal trial week. This is a special-set jury term, only dealing with Cain's case. Potential jurors also answered a 15-page questionnaire ranging in topics from personal information to their views on capital punishment to the types of magazines they read and television programs they watch.

    The case has received extensive news media attention and the three victims were well-known in the community. That explains the extra efforts in the selection process. Lewis will handle individual screening of potential jurors away from the courtroom along with defense attorneys and prosecutors.

    Lewis has yet to rule on the defense’s request for a change of venue. Defense attorneys cited pre-trial publicity as a reason for moving the trial out of Autauga County. Lewis has said in previous status hearings that he wanted to make every effort to have an Autauga County jury hear the case.

    Officials expect the selection process to last through Tuesday. If a panel can be seated, opening statements are set for Wednesday.

    https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com...ns/4998715002/
    "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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    Edited:

    Juror misconduct prompts angry judge to dismiss Prattville barbershop massacre jury pool


    By Marty Roney
    Montgomery Advertiser

    PRATTVILLE — The jury pool in the trial of a man accused in an Autauga County capital murder trial was dismissed Tuesday night because of juror misconduct.

    The trial of Keon Cain 21, of Prattville, who faces three counts of capital murder in connection to a 2017 triple homicide at the Hook-Up Barber and Style Shop in Prattville will be reset. Circuit Judge Bill Lewis Jr. made the announcement to the pool about 7 p.m. in the courtroom where they have spent the last two days.

    The misconduct came to light during individual interviews with potential jurors Tuesday afternoon. It was part of the selection process.

    A visibly angry Lewis called out Juror 99, Kyle Dean, to the front of the courtroom, and had a sheriff's deputy handcuff him and then sentenced him to five days in the Autauga Metro Jail for contempt of court.

    The clicks of the handcuffs could be heard throughout the hushed courtroom.

    "By a show of hands, how many of you could have been doing something else these past two days?" Lewis asked the pool. "By a show of hands, how many of you lost money by being away from your jobs these past two days? By a show of hands, how many of you could have been spending time with your families these past two days?

    "I'm angry. And so should you be."

    Dean allegedly discussed the case with other jurors. At the beginning of each break during the selection process and when the panel was sent home Monday, Lewis admonished them not to read or view any media reports about the case, do any independent investigations or talk about the case among themselves or with others.

    Dean allegedly discussed evidence that would not have been admissible in Cain's hearing. There was no legal recourse available to Lewis to rectify the situation without further poisoning the pool.

    Summons were sent to 500 people, double the usual jury pool. On Monday 326 people showed up for the selection process. Tuesday the pool had been whittled to 110 and Lewis said the probability was good that a jury could have been seated and trial would have begun Wednesday

    "Our obligation is to find a jury that is fair, and not tainted," Lewis said.

    Cain will remain in jail under no bond, typical in a capital murder case. He has been in jail since his arrest shortly after the incident.

    https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com...ol/5016820002/
    "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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    Edited:

    Prattville's triple-homicide capital murder case may begin in 2021 in Chilton County

    By Marty Roney
    Montgomery Advertiser


    PRATTVILLE — A capital murder case in which three people were gunned down at a barbershop in Prattville may not be heard until early 2021 in Chilton County.

    Keon Cain 21, of Prattville, faces three counts of capital murder in connection to a 2017 triple homicide at the Hook-Up Barber and Style Shop in Prattville. The case was set to be heard in Prattville in February but the jury pool was dissolved after a potential juror talked about the case with other jurors during the selection process.

    Circuit Judge Bill Lewis moved the trial to Chilton County. Lewis held a status hearing on the case Wednesday. Because of the recent closing of in-person court proceedings due to the coronavirus, the case has been tentatively set for February, 2021. But that date is based on restrictions of social distancing being removed. There is also a moratorium on jury trials until September.

    Lewis said the current requirements makes it almost impossible to select a jury because the number of potential jurors will have to be larger than a usual case, he said.

    The defense also objected to the venue change, citing demographic differences in the two counties. Chilton County has a smaller population of blacks than Autauga, said Jay Taylor, one of Cain's two attorneys.

    According to census figures, Chilton County has a population of 44,428, with about 10 percent being black. Autauga County has a population of 55,869, with about 20 percent being black.

    The defense also argued that Chilton County remains in the Montgomery news market, and would have received the same amount of pretrial publicity as Autauga County. Josh Cochran, an assistant district attorney, argued that Chilton County is more in the Birmingham news market and that the county could provide sufficient numbers to seat a jury.

    Chillton is in the same judicial circuit as Autauga and Elmore counties. Lewis did not rule on the defense motions on Wednesday, saying he would take the matter under advisement.

    During Wednesday's status hearing, it came out during the testimony of Adam Grooms that a murder weapon has never been recovered. Grooms is the chief of the firearms and tool marks division of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. He gave in depth testimony as to the reliability of the tests that are conducted by the division.

    Under cross-examination by Taylor Grooms said that the firearm used to fire the three empty shot shell casings found at the scene was not available for testing. There is a gag order in the case, barring attorneys and participants from commenting outside of court proceedings and court documents.

    The triple homicide on July 3, 2017, shocked Prattville, a community that prides itself on a low crime rate.

    https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com...21/3125494001/
    "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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    2017 triple homicide at Prattville barbershop won't go to trial until 2022

    By Marty Roney, Montgomery Advertiser

    Keon Cain, 22, of Prattville, faces three counts of capital murder in the case. Court records show his trial will be reset when the court schedule allows in 2022. The case has seen several delays.

    Capital cases usually take longer since capital murder is the most severe charge the state can bring. Upon conviction, the only sentencing options are the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

    In this case, Circuit Judge Ben Fuller handed down a gag order early on, barring lawyers from commenting outside of court proceedings and filings.

    Cain was set to go on trial in March of 2020, but the jury panel was dismissed before a panel was struck after a male juror discussed the case with other potential jurors. Circuit Judge Bill Lewis Jr. is presiding and placed the jury panel member in the Autauga Metro Jail for five days for contempt of court.

    Then the court system delayed trials during the early stages of the pandemic. Another hurdle came up when Tom Azar, one of Cain's two appointed attorneys, had to drop out due to a conflict of interest. He had represented one of the prosecution's possible witnesses in a prior criminal case.

    Bill Whatley has been appointed to replace Azar.

    Lewis has ruled the trial will take place in Chilton County. Scheduling can be difficult because at least two consecutive weeks will be needed. The guilt phase should take about a week. If Cain is convicted of capital murder, the penalty phase begins immediately, heard by the same jury.

    The state will argue reasons why the death penalty should be handed down, and the defense would present mitigating factors of why the death penalty should not be given. The jury will determine the sentence, the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

    Cain has remained in jail under no bond, typical in capital case, since his arrest shortly after the shootings.

    Cain's co-defendant, Marty Morgan, 38, pleaded guilty in April of 2019 to one count of capital murder. He faced three counts of capital murder.

    Capital murder charges are being sought because the murders allegedly occurred in the commission of a robbery and resulted in two or more victims from the same criminal act, the indictments read.

    Sentencing for Morgan has not been set. The plea deal reads that Morgan will give “truthful” testimony against Cain. The recommended sentence for Morgan is life in prison without the possibility of parole.

    Assistant District Attorney Josh Cochran addressed the court in 2019 and told Lewis what evidence the state expected to present. Cochran said Morgan struck Eddie Dean Scott and Al Seals Benson in the head with a cinder block, causing their death by blunt force trauma. Previous testimony during preliminary hearings brought out that Morgan also shot both men with a handgun. Anthony Smith, owner of the barbershop, was allegedly shot by Cain with a 410.ga. shotgun inside the business.

    Smith staggered out of the barbershop and collapsed in the parking lot of a convenience store located next door. Cain approached Smith and shot him in the back of the head, killing him, Cochran said.

    Morgan agreed to Cochran’s version of the facts.

    The crime, with multiple victims well-known in the community, shocked Prattville, a city that prides itself on a low crime rate. At the time, Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson labeled the incident an armed robbery gone wrong at the Hook-Up Barber and Style Shop. The business is near the intersection of U.S. Highway 82 and Highway 14.

    Morgan allegedly knocked on the door of the shop about 10:40 p.m. on July 3, 2017. He was allegedly armed with a small caliber handgun, Jeremy Thompson, a Prattville Police Department investigator testified during a preliminary hearing. Jeremy Thompson is not related to Mark Thompson. Cain was allegedly right behind him, armed with a pump shotgun and wearing a mask, Jeremy Thompson said.

    Anthony Smith, owner of the business, wouldn’t let anyone inside at that time of night, unless he knew them, witnesses told police. Smith knew Morgan, Jeremy Thompson said.

    “Witnesses said Morgan came in and said ‘You know what time it is,’ and ‘Give it up.” Jeremy Thompson testified then. “So the witnesses thought it was a robbery.”

    Cain allegedly went to a table where four men were playing dominoes and allegedly said “Give it up,” Jeremy Thompson said. Witnesses said Eddie Dean Scott, 56, of Autauga County, grabbed the shotgun, and Morgan allegedly came over and shot Scott in the top of the head with the handgun, Jeremy Thompson said.

    Scott died later at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, he said. Al Seals Benson, 50, of Elmore County, was found dead in the business with “shrapnel” wounds from the handgun to both legs, Thompson said. Scott and Benson died of blunt force trauma, the capital murder indictments read. Smith made it outside.

    Security camera footage from the Bee Line convenience store next door showed Smith, 46, of Autauga County, staggering into the frame holding his left side, Thompson said. Autopsy results brought out that Smith had been shot in the chest with the 410 ga. shotgun that was loaded with birdshot, Jeremy Thompson said. Pellets lodged in his lung and heart, he said.

    Smith fell down once, got up and continued to stagger toward the store, when he fell a second time, just in front of the doors of the business, Jeremy Thompson said. He lay their motionless for a short time, Jeremy Thompson said. Cain allegedly approached Smith as he lay on the ground then “Shot him in the back of the head with the shotgun,” Jeremy Thompson testified.

    In a prior interview, chief Assistant District Attorney C.J. Robinson labeled the murders as “executions,” and called the scene, “disturbing.”

    https://eu.montgomeryadvertiser.com/...22/4918661001/

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    Trial date set for suspect in 2017 Prattville barber shop killings

    By Marty Roney
    Montgomery Advertiser

    PRATTVILLE — After a series of delays, some associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, a trial date has been set in the 2017 Prattville barber shop capital murder case.

    Keon Cain, 22, of Prattville, faces three counts of capital murder in the case where three men were killed in what police call a robbery gone wrong at a local barber shop. The victims were well known, and the murders have shocked Prattville, which prides itself on a low crime rate.

    Cain is set to go on trial in Clanton beginning March 28, courthouse records show. Circuit Judge Bill Lewis Jr. changed the venue in February of 2020 after dissolving the jury pool while selection process was ongoing in Prattville for Cain's trial. Lewis made the move after a potential juror admitted to discussing facts of the case with other potential jurors.

    Chilton County is part of the 19th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Autauga and Elmore counties.

    Lewis held a status hearing on Cain's case Wednesday morning that lasted about seven minutes.

    "I just want to know where we are, and for the attorneys to understand we won't be continuing this trial again," Lewis said.

    Cain has remained in jail since his arrest shortly after the crime under no bond, standard in a capital case. A gag order has been issued, barring prosecutors and defense attorneys from making comments outside of court proceedings or motions.

    Marty Morgan, 38, of Prattville and Cain's co-defendant, has pleaded guilty to one count of capital murder. He was originally charged with three counts of capital murder. The state is recommending a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole in Morgan's case.

    Morgan is expected to testify at Cain's trial.

    The killings took place the night of July 3, 2017 at the Hook-Up Barber and Style Shop, which was located near the intersection of U.S. Highway 82 and Highway 14. Assistant District Attorney Josh Cochran told Lewis in previous proceedings that Morgan struck Eddie Dean Scott and Al Seals Benson in the head with a cinder block, causing their death by blunt force trauma. Previous testimony during preliminary hearings brought out that Morgan also shot both men with a handgun. Anthony Smith, owner of the barbershop, was allegedly shot by Cain with a 410.ga. shotgun inside the business.

    Smith staggered out of the barbershop and collapsed in the parking lot of a convenience store located next door. Cain approached Smith and shot him in the back of the head, killing him, Cochran said.

    Cain's case has taken a winding route to trial. Following the venue change in February of 2020, all in person court proceedings were cancelled in April in the wake of the pandemic. In person court proceeding shave returned to most circuits several months ago.

    The two weeks for Cain's case in Clanton are needed because if convicted in the guilt phase, the penalty phase begins immediately. The same jury will make the decision if Cain faces the death penalty or is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the only two possible sentences in a capital case.

    https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com...in/5761665001/
    "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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