Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has announced the indictments of two Walker County men in connection with the 2015 death of Eric Cates. Joshua Franklin Hill, 35, and Luke Williams, Jr., 34, both from Walker County, have been served with indictments for Capital Murder.
Cates and his dog, Gypsy, were discovered deceased in the Empire community on March 21, 2015. Their bodies were severely burned, as was the interior of the small truck where they were found. In October, Hill had previously been indicted alongside Cyrena Cheyenne Styles, 28, also from Walker County. Both were charged with one count of murder.
The new indictments were served and the defendants arrested on May 15, 2024. The Special Prosecution Division and Criminal Trials Divisions of Attorney General Marshall's office partnered with the Sumiton Police Department and former agents of Walker County Sheriff’s Office to present evidence to a Walker County grand jury.
Walker County District Attorney Bill Adair and the Walker County Sheriff’s Office have assisted the Attorney General’s Office in the investigation. If convicted of Capital Murder, both Hill and Williams could face life without parole or even the death penalty. No further information about the investigation or alleged crimes can be released at this time.