Pleas entered in murder and manslaughter cases
Published 1:44 pm Friday, October 1, 2010
Guilty pleas were entered into Friday at the Chilton County Courthouse in separate murder and manslaughter cases.
John Michael Scott, 25, pled guilty to murder in the August 2007 shooting death of Santos Ramirez.
Ramirez, who was a coworker and former roommate of Scott’s, died after being shot in the back of the head. His body was found Sept. 7, 2007, on property owned by Scott’s family in Jemison. Scott was arrested the same day the body was found.
Prosecutors said greed over two cars Scott took after Ramirez’ death played a motive in the crime.
Prior to the plea, Scott was charged with capital murder during robbery. As part of the plea, prosecutors recommended a 35-year sentence.
Circuit Court Judge Sibley Reynolds will sentence Scott on Nov. 12.
Earlier in the day Friday, Jesse Lee Crockett pled guilty to manslaughter in the beating death of Mack Arthur Burden Jr.
Crockett and Burden were walking down the road together in the area of Caver Drive and Old Henry Road in Lomax on March 9, 2009, when the two got into an argument that turned violent.
Crockett struck Burden multiple times over the head with a stick, prosecutors said. Burden died the next day at UAB Hospital in Birmingham. Sentencing for Crockett is also scheduled for Nov. 12.