Breaking News at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse
James Barton, 36, has been arrested, charged with multiple counts of murder, mutilation of a corpse, burglary, and trespassing, after a citizen's arrest and his trial is underway. His family has detained Alan Dershowitz as counsel. Dershowitz is known for taking on high-profile and often unpopular cases and clients, and has won 19 of the 21 murder and attempted murder cases he has taken on as a criminal appellate lawyer.
Police believe Barton picked victims at random, waiting till an opportune moment to approach and murder the victims scattered around the state. Victims have been identified as Micheal Stepinac (33, Woodstock) Hailey Jeffries (22, Tuscaloosa), Derek Smythe (48, Hitop) , Aaron Abbot (29, Birmingham), Elizabeth Evans (19, Anniston), Grace Marie Elois (27, Huntsville), Marie Sheilhamer, (16, Mobile) and Edward Pyle (71, Northport)
The defense seems two-fold, focusing on James Barton's rapidly deteriorating mental state from a head injury during a violent mugging 3 years ago, and sowing doubt on credibility of evidence submitted by casting doubt on the citizens performing said arrest- enhanced greatly when Barton's foreman and other witnesses of the arrestat JD Lumber testified the arresting citizens used multiple Unnatural Abilities during the apprehension.
We go now to our reporter at the courthouse, where the police and counsel are about to hold a press release.
(Camera shows a crowd of people at the courthouse- a small podium surrounded with mics, and a crowd of reporters. Further back, police hold back the public- some of which hold signs that say "FREE JAMES" and "CLEANSE ALABAMA OF WITCHCRAFT" and "UNNATURAL OPPRESSES THE NATURAL", and there is also a counter protest, an unidentified organization in camo and masks, seemingly in favor of the citizens arrest.)
A suited representative of the ABI steps up to the mic,"Let me take this moment to thank our officers, citizens, and Dr Keller at the medical examiners office for their faith and determination in helping solve this case. This isn't likely to be a quick trial, though we are faithful justice will be delivered swiftly. Due to the excessive brutality of this case, the DA's office is seeking 9 consecutive life sentences. Thanks to the quick work of our staffed psychologist, Barton has calmed down a bit and seems cooperative thanks to medication- we were able to remove his muzzle in order to let him testify in his own behalf."
A reporter yells out "What do you know about that name 'Azaghel' he was screaming about the first day?"
"We have no reason to believe 'Azaghel' is a genuine threat at this time. Morton was likely just a very sick man, but justice must be served. Any other questions?"
Over the yelling reporters, 4 gunshots ring out from the direction of the courthouse.and the crowd immediately reacts, most running away but a few running towards it with cameras. The camera view slumps to the ground as the cameraman flees, and the live feed is cut, now showing the studio again, the news announcer's shocked faces."We seem to be having an actively developing situation." the woman says, a visible look of shock on her face.
She holds her earpiece in her ear, clearly listening before saying, stunned-"James Barton has been shot in the courthouse in cold blood. The killer was cooperative, immediately dropping his weapon. It seems he grabbed the bailiff's gun, and fired off four shots, all four hitting Barton- 3 in the torso and one in the head. I repeat, James Barton is dead." She grows silent, listening, before adding: "The shooter self-identified as Hank Jeffries on the scene. Witnesses claim he proudly announced 'This is for Hailey, you sick f'(a beeping censor cuts off the end of the word) as he pulled the trigger four times,followed by immediately dropping his weapon and putting his hands behind his head."She looks at her cards, before smiling cheerfully. "Thats all the time we have for today, Tune in at 9 for more updates on this developing story."