Prosecutors Say Race May Have Played A Role In Alabama Man’s Alleged Fatal Beating Of Black Friend With Shovel
An Alabama man is accused of beating another man in the head with a shovel and pipe, leaving that man to die, and then calling police after hours had gone by.
Barnhill’s bond has reportedly been set at $500,000 during a hearing on Monday (April 4). He would have to serve house arrest and wear an ankle monitor if released.
Mobile, Alabama authorities say Barnhill lied early Tuesday about an unknown man trying to break into his shed. As it turns out, it was Murray, who he knew.
“Through the investigation, it was determined that the alleged victim [of the burglary] (Barnhill) intentionally misled officers about an attempted burglary on the 4300 block of Windy Hill Circle East,” officers told Law&Crime in a statement. “Detectives discovered several inconsistencies in Barnhill’s statement and determined he filed a false report claiming an unknown male was attempting to break into a shed on his property.”
Murray died from his injuries from the alleged attack on April 1.
“This is an active homicide investigation,” police said. “Therefore, no additional details will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation.”
Linda Gayle, Murray’s mother, told WTVY that her son and Barnhill were friends, and that Murray had even been invited for a barbecue. In her account, Barnhill claimed Murray stole a purse.
“After he beat my baby, he left him there, didn’t call for help, didn’t try for help,” Gayle said. “If he would’ve called for help, maybe my baby would still be here.”
Barnhill remains incarcerated at the Mobile County Jail as of Monday, according to Law&Crime.
