Charges reduced for 3 Morgan Co. murder suspects | News

MORGAN COUNTY, AL (WAFF)- Three suspects who had been charged with capital murder in Morgan County have had their charges reduced to murder.

All three suspects were 17 when investigators say they killed Glenn Blackwood in Decatur.

Two U.S. Supreme Court rulings this year struck down executions and mandatory life sentences for juveniles - the only options in a capital case.

The indictment came down in October, but Judge Glenn Thompson just signed off on it Tuesday.

The reduced charge also allows for a bond to be set, and during Tuesday's arraignment, the judge did set a bond for two of the suspects. Jameson Staten and Steven King Jr. each have a half million dollar bond.

The judge did not set bond for Lorin Wilson. Wilson is the one police say pulled the trigger.

All three are also indicted for attempted robbery.

Attorneys for Staten and King contend their clients had no idea Wilson would shoot Blackwood and only thought they were going to the victim's apartment to buy drugs.

Those attorneys will argue for the reductions of their clients' bonds at a hearing scheduled for January 30th.

The district attorney said he stands behind the grand jury.

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