Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals has upheld the capital murder conviction of Lonterry Orlando Harrison, 23, from Gadsden. Harrison was originally convicted in the Etowah County Circuit Court on October 24, 2022.
The trial evidence indicated that the victim, A.J. Huff, was with friends when he received a text message about a potential marijuana sale. The victim drove to Starnes Park Apartments for the transaction. After initially finding no one there, a black Impala arrived and parked in the lot. The victim left but was followed by the Impala. At an intersection, Harrison approached the victim's vehicle and shot him. Huff later died from gunshot wounds at a local hospital.
During sentencing, Harrison admitted to firing into the van where Huff was seated as it attempted to drive away, resulting in Huff's death.
Etowah County District Attorney Jody Willoughby prosecuted the case and secured a guilty verdict. Harrison was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for his capital murder conviction and sought to have his conviction overturned on appeal.
The Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Division managed the case during the appeals process, advocating for affirmation of Harrison’s conviction by the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. The court affirmed the conviction in a decision issued on August 9, 2024.
Attorney General Marshall commended Assistant Attorney General Christopher D. Howell for his effective work on this case and expressed gratitude to District Attorney Jody Willoughby and his team for their significant contributions in securing the murder conviction.
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