Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall released a statement following the execution of Derrick Dearman at William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama. Dearman was executed via lethal injection for the murder of five individuals, including an unborn child.
Marshall noted, “Tonight, Derrick Dearman was executed via lethal injection for the murders of Joseph Adam Turner, Shannon Randall, Justin Kaleb Reed, Chelsea Marie Reed, who was expecting her second child, and Robert Lee Brown.” He emphasized that Dearman's decision to halt appeals and proceed with execution served justice and provided closure for the families involved.
Dearman's crimes occurred on August 20, 2016. After being told he could not stay overnight at a residence in Citronelle where his volatile relationship with Laneta Lester unfolded, Dearman broke into the house armed with an axe. His victims included Joseph Adam Turner and Shannon Randall along with their infant; Chelsea and Justin Reed; and Robert Lee Brown. The gruesome details describe how he struck them with an axe before shooting them using Justin's gun.
Following his arrest after turning himself in to law enforcement the next day, Dearman pleaded guilty to multiple counts of capital murder. The jury unanimously recommended the death sentence due to the nature of the crimes committed during a burglary and under one scheme or course of conduct.
Attorney General Marshall approved commencement of the execution at 5:58 p.m., with Derrick Dearman's time of death recorded at 6:14 p.m.