A preliminary hearing for Thorsby High School teacher Jennifer Collins McNeill, 39, of Thorsby is scheduled for Sept. 25 at 9 a.m.

McNeill was arrested on Aug. 16 on six counts of rape (statutory) in the second degree and two counts of second-degree sodomy.

Sheriff Kevin Davis originally told the Advertiser McNeill was taken into custody by the sheriff’s department at 4:40 p.m. on Aug. 16.

Davis said McNeill was arrested at the Chilton County Jail after authorities obtained a warrant for her arrest due to allegations made regarding McNeill.

Due to the victim being a juvenile, details about the case have not emerged from authorities and no information has been released regarding the juvenile.

Authorities have not said whether the juvenile was a student of Thorsby High School.

When McNeill was arrested in August, Chilton County Superintendent Dave Hayden said McNeill was a cheerleader sponsor at Thorsby and was primarily a sixth grade teacher.

McNeill was placed on indefinite administrative leave Aug. 17.

McNeill was held at the Chilton County Jail on a $160,000 bond.

She has since made bond and was released from the county jail on Aug. 17.

McNeill will appear at the Chilton County Courthouse for her preliminary hearing on Wednesday in front of Judge Rhonda Hardesty.

 

Preliminary hearing rescheduled for Montevallo woman facing murder and reckless driving charges

A preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for a Montevallo woman facing charges including murder and reckless driving in conjunction with a head-on collision Sept. 6 that resulted in a fatality.

Amanda Rhoden Kizzire, 31, of Montevallo was arrested and faces charges of murder, driving under the influence and reckless driving, according to Chilton County Circuit Court Clerk Glenn McGriff.

Kizzire’s preliminary hearing was originally scheduled for Sept. 25 at 9 a.m. in front of Chilton County Judge Rhonda Hardesty but McGriff said on Monday Kizzire’s preliminary hearing is now scheduled for Oct. 16 at 9 a.m.

Kizzire’s charges stem from a crash that occurred on Sept. 6 at 5:40 a.m. when a motorcycle driven by David Thomas Bryant, 35, of Jemison and SUV driven by Kizzire collided head-on near County Road 95.

Calera Police Department Sgt. Deven Heathcock said Bryant was killed at the scene and Kizzire was transported to UAB and treated for injuries.

She was released from the hospital later that day.

Kizzire was arrested by the Calera Police Department on Sept. 9. CPD issued an arrest warrant for the three charges of murder, driving under the influence and reckless driving.

Although the wreck happened inside Chilton County, the portion of the road near the wreck is patrolled by the Calera Police Department within the city of Calera’s jurisdiction.

McGriff said Kizzire is being held in the Chilton County Jail with a $150,000 bond.