Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that Latoni Althea Daniel, a 32-year-old resident of Tallapoosa County, has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms with the possibility of parole. This sentence follows her guilty plea to charges of intentional murder and first-degree robbery related to the death of Thomas Virgil Chandler, an 87-year-old man from Goodwater, Alabama.
The incident occurred after Mr. Chandler had visited a local restaurant and then proceeded to a Piggly Wiggly store. He was followed by Daniel and her co-defendant as he left the store and drove a few miles down the road. The defendants stopped his vehicle, shot him multiple times, and stole his money and personal belongings.
“Mr. Chandler was an innocent man, targeted and brutally murdered for nothing more than his money. Today, justice has been served,” stated Attorney General Steve Marshall. “While no sentence can undo this senseless act of violence, these consecutive life terms ensure that Latoni Daniel is held fully accountable for her role in this heinous crime."
Marshall expressed gratitude towards the prosecutors and law enforcement officers involved in bringing the case to its conclusion. He specifically commended the efforts of Assistant Attorneys General Damon Lewis, Kenneth Gibbs, Chenelle Smith from the Attorney General’s Office Criminal Trials Division who prosecuted alongside the District Attorney’s Office for the Fortieth Judicial Circuit.
He also acknowledged District Attorney Joe Ficquette along with his staff from the Fortieth Judicial Circuit's District Attorney’s Office, as well as contributions from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and Coosa County Sheriff’s Office.