Coley McCraney has been sentenced to life without parole for the murders of J.B. Beasley and Tracie Hawlett, which occurred in 1999. The sentencing took place today under Judge William “Bill” Filmore's authority, following McCraney's conviction on four counts of capital murder in April. The jury had previously returned a sentencing verdict of life without parole, and Judge Filmore also imposed additional fines and fees.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall commented on the outcome: “The families of J.B. Beasley and Tracie Hawlett have prayed for over two decades that their daughters’ murderer would be brought to justice. While we cannot bring back their loved ones, we hope today’s sentencing will bring them some level of closure.”
Marshall emphasized his commitment to justice, stating: “As a career prosecutor, I have dedicated most of my adult life to bringing justice to both victims and their families. In Alabama, we have zero tolerance for those who callously take the lives of others, and I will never stop boldly pursuing justice for victims and families in our great state.”
In April, Attorney General Marshall led the prosecution in State v. McCraney, achieving a guilty verdict in this cold case from Dale County. The conviction was made possible through collaboration among multiple agencies including the District Attorney’s Office of the 33rd Judicial Circuit, Ozark Police Department, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Dale County Sheriff’s Office, and Dothan Police Department.