Record $280 Million Judgement Against Schnitzer
A record $280 million dollar judgement was handed down by a Muscogee County Jury Friday in response to a fatal truck crash that killed five members of one family in East Alabama. Attorneys from…
Robbie Watson
Articles
Jury Hears About Catastrophic Loss
Correction: A statement under oath by the truck driver's former attorney about visiting a crash scene and not finding fault was referencing a previous collision in 2013 involving Kenneth Cathey not the fatal…
Trucker Testifies He Wasn't Negligent After Killing 5
The Schnitzer trucker behind the wheel during a fatal collision in East Alabama that killed five members of a single family told an attorney for the family he "guesses" Carrie Jones and her…
"Three Generations Wiped Off The Face of The Earth"
Three generations were wiped off the face of the Earth because a local trucking company failed miserably to enforce their own safety and training policies a Muscogee County Jury heard Monday. Attorneys opened…
Central Class President Had A "Spirit of Joy"
The Central Class President who died tragically Tuesday is being fondly remembered on school campus today. The students at Central High School are in a state of shock according to the Senior Class…
1st SFAB Is Not Your Father's Army
This is not your father's Army. The 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade was built from scratch two years ago and is now comprised of 800 Soldiers, the Army's "A Team". They are the…
Popular Central Student Critical After Bus Crash
A popular Central High School student continues to fight for his life after colliding with a Phenix City School bus Friday afternoon. The 17 year old driver and his teen passenger were coming…
Killer Taunts Victim's Family On Facebook
A convicted killer taunts friends and family of his victim on social media after being sentenced for the crime of murder. Mariah Farrow's family thought they might move toward the healing process after…
Killer Spared Death After Plea Deal
It was the day of reckoning for convicted killer Demetrius Dorsey who has never expressed remorse nearly four years after he made good on a promise to murder Mariah Farrow. The 19 year old…
Suspect Confesses To Quadruple Homicide
The suspect accused of repeatedly stabbing his partner and three small children has made multiple confessions to Homicide Detectives and sent letters of confession to family members. Those stunning details were revealed after…
Fatal Harris County Crash In Construction Zone
A Harris County crash claimed the life of a Columbus woman during the rush hour commute Monday. A stretch of River Road is currently under construction and will be for many months to…
Victims Stabbed Repeatedly In Quadruple Murder
Patrol Officers responding to a welfare check at the Elizabeth Canty Apartments stumbled on the ghastly scene in South Columbus. Four victims were stabbed to death including three children ages three, one and an…
Jury Weighs Fate of Alleged Gunman Who Shot Autistic Man
The fate of the alleged gunman who shot an autistic man for his cell phone during a robbery is now in the hands of the jury. Tyquez Davis, the alleged trigger man, is…
Dispute Over Cow Prompts Deadly Bickerstaff Shooting
A dispute over a cow allegedly prompted the deadly shooting of a popular Harris County man. Homicide investigations in Harris County are rare in fact Sheriff Mike Jolley reports less than 10 homicide…
Task Force Weighs River Enforcement
There has been plenty of talk about how exactly to address this public safety issue where people continue to ignore the dangers of the Chattahoochee River. Less than one hour after a six year…
Phenix City Pays $100,000 For Officer Involved Shooting
Phenix City has settled a Federal lawsuit alleging Excessive Force during a 2017 officer involved shooting. The Phenix City Police Department has always maintained the Police Officer did nothing improper or outside…
Vicious Dog Attack Warrants Misdemeanor Charge
A vicious dog attack prompted one local woman to question a new Alabama law created to address such attacks. Sandy Vogts was taking an early morning stroll in her Fort Mitchell neighborhood…
Whitewater Responds To Backlash
The popular rafting company Whitewater Express is responding to public backlash after rafters were seen near search teams looking for a drowning victim. Whitewater's decision to open for business before searchers located a child…
Fingerprints Identify Suspect In Child's Assault
The Columbus Police Department's Special Victim's Unit testified Friday they were able to crack a three year old cold case using fingerprint technology. Investigators have been looking for the suspect who broke into…
Local Voters Sound Off On First Debate
Local voters had plenty to say in response to this past week's first televised debate. Half of the two dozen candidates vying for the democratic nomination took the stage in South…
Drowning Victim Buried With Military Honors
It took a month to hammer out firm arrangements for Ron Cyr but those closest to the former Staff Sergeant who served in Vietnam were determined to give him a proper military…
Police Radio Scanner Encrypted Soon
Local police radio traffic will soon be off limits to the public including members of the media thanks to a system upgrade for the Columbus Police Department. The Computer Aided Dispatch system or…
Judge Sets Bond For Teen Who Shot Girlfriend In Traffic
A Columbus teen accused of Malice Murder could walk out of Jail on bond even after a Muscogee County Grand Jury returned a seven count Indictment on Markel Ervin this past week. The…
Boat Slams Into Lake Oliver Marina
A boat accident sent seven people to the local hospital Tuesday Afternoon. Mutliple Law Enforcement Agencies responded to the scene at the Lake Oliver Marina just after 3:00 pm and just as heavy…
Suspects Arrested For Ladonia Double Homicide
Two suspects are in police custody in connection to a fatal house fire in Phenix City including the boyfriend of a woman named as a person of interest who was allegedly spotted casually…
Stolen Gun Used In 9 Year Old's Shooting
A nine year old Columbus boy is in critical condition after being shot with a stolen gun according to a Police Investigator. What exactly happened inside the home in East Columbus where the…
Mother Holding Toddler Killed In Drive By Shooting
A Columbus Mother was killed during a drive by shooting in Phenix City Monday night and police are still searching for the suspect. A large crowd of friends and family looked on the…
Post Housing Under Scrutiny Because of Mold
As the debate rages over recent reports the government is considering housing migrant children at Fort Benning, one active duty soldier tells First News, he knows first hand the housing on Post is…
Report: Teen Fell Asleep Before Bramblett Crash
Clarification: The teen driver involved in the fatal crash with Rod and Paula Bramblett allegedly told First Responders he fell asleep at the wheel at the time of the crash. The…
Man Charged With Hotel Shooting Served Time For Manslaughter
The man charged in connection to a hotel shooting over the weekend is no stranger to the Criminal Justice System according to court records. Curtis Adams caused quite a ruckus in North Columbus…
911 Operator's Revenge Porn Post Prompts Felony Charges
A Columbus 911 Operator is accused of tapping into secret law enforcement computer systems to obtain information on her husband and his family members. Heather Henslee is facing multiple felony charges including Communicating…
Sucker Punch Kills Former Eufaula Football Player
It was a sucker punch, not a fight that led to the death of a former Eufaula Football player according to Investigators. Thomas Jackson and his alleged killer Michael Mayo are both Eufaula…
Police Testify Dad, Toddler Knew Their Killer
A Police Detective testified in Recorder's Court this morning Joseph Banks and his accused killer Antonio Willis had both stayed at various times at the Colony Inn on Victory Drive. Willis was described…
Stop Saying Happy Memorial Day
Deborah Tainsh has a simple message for the people this Memorial Day and it's on display for anyone driving by her neighborhood. Stop saying "Happy Memorial Day". "For us, the word 'Happy' left…
Alabama Guardsman Charged With Police Shooting in Court
The Alabama Guardsman charged with Capital Murder for killing an Auburn Police Officer made his first court appearance Tuesday. Shackled and surrounded by a slough of Lee County Sheriff's Deputies, Grady Wayne Wilkes…
Ex Military Suspect Captured After Killing Police Officer
The chilling dispatch call just after 10pm Auburn time tells the story. Multiple Auburn Police Officers shot answering a domestic call. Residents of the Arrowhead trailer park told First News the scene was…
City's Movers and Shakers Make Med School A Reality
The Mercer School of Medicine is expanding to Columbus, Georgia. The City made the big announcement in front of a standing room only crowd not far from the school's new location downtown. People…
Police Officer Charged With Murder On Suicide Watch In Jail
A Columbus Police Officer was released from a local hospital and taken directly to jail this afternoon. SGT William Talley was booked on three charges including murder and is now under suicide watch…
Suspect Used Video Games To Molest Victim
A suspect accused of multiple counts of child molestation allegedly used video games to prey on his young victim. According to court testimony , it was a school principal who tipped police off…
Shoplifting Suspects Target Local Stores
Multiple shoplifting suspects have been arrested in connection to a massive shoplifting ring which spanned several cities in the Southeast. Retail shops in Columbus, Auburn, Opelika, Lagrange and Montgomery were targeted in the…
Masked Gunmen Hijack Vehicle In North Columbus
Masked gunmen suspected of hijacking a vehicle overnight in North Columbus are now in police custody thanks to an alert citizen. The victim in this case was sitting under his carport , unwinding…
Alabama Lawmakers Weigh Pot Penalties
Alabama lawmakers are considering two separate marijuana bills that have already cleared the Senate. One bill makes medical marijuana legal for people suffering from certain conditions, the other would reduce the penalty for…
Bicycle Murder Suspect Also Charged with Zaxby's Robbery
The Columbus teen arrested for killing a homeless man and stealing his bicycle was back in front of a Judge for the third time in less than a week. A police investigator told…
Teen Murder Suspect Caught On Camera
A teen murder suspect charged with killing a homeless man for his bicycle was back in Recorder's Court Wednesday. A Columbus Police Detective testified a slough of evidence was found at the murder…
Judge Lowers Bond For Northside Teacher
A Northside teacher facing criminal charges appeared in Recorder's Court for the second time in 72 hours. Kristin Davenport is charged with sexual assault by a person who has supervisory or disciplinary authority…
Police: Teen Killed Man For Bicycle
A Police officer testified in Recorder's Court Saturday that a Columbus teenager shot and killed a 60 year old man for his Bicycle. The officer was testifying during a bond hearing for 17 year old Tellious Brown. Brown allegedly shot…
Northside Teacher Latest School Employee Arrested
A Northside Teacher was arrested and charged after inappropriate contact with a student. The Muscogee County School District says it was an anonymous tip that led to the investigation of the 26 year…
Family Says Suspect Not Monster Portrayed In Reports
The family of a Phenix City mother charged with murder says Ashley Nicole King is not the monster being portrayed in recent news reports. Phenix City Investigators say King intentionally set the fire…
Two Murders Hours Apart in Columbus
Two Murders took place just hours apart in Columbus. Police are still searching for the suspects after the rash of gun violence. The incidents are unrelated and homicide detectives have not yet said…
Second Substitute Teacher Arrested In Columbus
A Substitute teacher who was employed by the Muscogee County School District is facing criminal charges for the second time in less than a week. The second arrest of another substitute teacher comes…
