Saturday, May 26, 2007

Arrest Made In Earnest Murder

   Lauderdale County authorities report that an arrest has been made in connection with the recent murder of a Lawrence County native.

   Rusty Earnest, age 47, was found by law enforcement officials inside his Rogersville, Alabama, home on May 2, after he failed to show up for work at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.

   Authorities indicated that he had been murdered outside his home, then dragged inside. The perpetrator then set fire to the home in an effort to cover up the crime. The fire, however, failed to continue to burn after using up immediately available oxygen.

   Officials report that 24-year-old Kenneth Bradford Stricklin has been arrested on capital murder charges. He is being held at the Lauderdale County Detention Center without bond.

   Robbery, authorities say, is the likely motive for the crime.