Monday, May 5, 2008

Alabama Man Indicted In Earnest Death

   Grand jurors in Lauderdale County, Alabama, have returned an indictment against an Alabama man, charging him with the crime of murder in connection with the May, 2007, death of a Loretto native.

   Members of the grand jury panel returned indictments against twenty-five-year-old Kenneth Strickland, charging him with the crimes of murder, burglary, first degree arson, first degree burglary, and second degree theft.

   Strickland had originally been charged with capital murder in connection with the May 2, 2007, death of former Loretto resident Rusty L. Earnest, 47. The concern of co-workers lead to the discovery of Earnest’s body inside his Rogersville home. Officials report that Strickland was Earnest’s neighbor. Shortly after Earnest’s death, officials reported he had been killed outside his home, then dragged back inside. A fire had been intentionally set in an apparent attempt to cover up the murder. The fire, however, failed to flourish and extinguished itself.

   Authorities anticipate that a trail date will soon be set.

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