Marie Kitchens Martin, Colton Lee and Martha Reliford
Jimmy O’Neal Spencer
Homeless ex-con charged in slayings of 7-year-old, great-grandmother, another woman
By Ashley Remus
AL.com
A homeless man released from prison within the past couple of years has been charged in the Guntersville slayings of three people, including a 7-year-old boy, authorities said.
Jimmy Oneal Spencer, 52, is held in the Marshall County jail on four counts of capital murder, Guntersville police chief Jim Peterson said. Spencer is held without bail.
"Through the grace of god, we've got the right guy," Peterson said.
The bodies of Marie Kitchens Martin and her great-grandson Colton Ryan Lee were found at her home Friday afternoon. Martin was 74-years-old and a longtime resident of Guntersville; Colton was 7-years-old and visiting from Huntsville.
Police were called to the Mulberry Street home around 4:36 p.m. Friday, where they found Martin and Colton's bodies inside. Peterson said he can't yet release the cause of death. He has previous said the two were "brutally murdered."
While police were investigating at Martin's home, they were called to check on a woman from across the street who hadn't been seen in about 10 days. Officers there found 65-year-old Martha Reliford's body. Her death also has been ruled a homicide.
Prosecutors said in court records that the women were robbed. Authorities haven't commented further on a motive for the case.
"We know the motive, but I can't tell you yet," said John Young, the chief investigator for the Marshall County District Attorney's office.
Police said there isn't any relationship between Spencer and the victims. Spencer was from Franklin County before he went to prison more than 20 years ago, authorities said. He was imprisoned for burglary. He was released within the past couple of years, Young said.
Since early this year, Spencer had been sleeping on park benches or staying at motels around town, the police chief said.
In a typically quiet Guntersville, police on Friday also investigated a fourth death, which is believed to have resulted from natural causes. That victim was identified as James Michael Baker, who had been reported missing from his home in Albertville early Friday morning.
"This is not indicative of our city," Peterson said. He praised the work of his officers and investigators who have worked tirelessly since Friday afternoon.
"I pray that although we can't give the family their loved ones back, we can at least deliver some degree of justice," the chief said.
Young said Spencer appeared in court today for an initial appearance. Spencer is charged with two counts of capital murder during a robbery, one count for killing two or more people and one count for killing a person younger than 14.
"We truly believe we've got the right guy," Young said.
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