Madison guy charged with 2017 double murder set to rise trial

LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) – A 24-year-old Madison guy charged with capturing and killing two males greater than 4 years in the past is ready to rise trial through jury on Feb. 13.

Jacob Gideon Copeland has been charged with two counts of capital homicide within the deaths of 21-year-old Damian Blake Ricketts of Hazel Inexperienced and 22-year-old Devin Edward Richard of Huntsville on August 31, 2017.

Each males have been discovered lifeless with gunshot wounds within a automobile parked within the driveway of a area on Analicia Power in Madison. Sheriff Mike Blakely mentioned on the generation that not one of the males lived on the place of abode, including that it was once the homeowners who known as 911 then listening to gunshots.

Copeland was once arrested the upcoming moment then Limestone County Sheriff’s Place of business investigators named him a suspect. Copeland, 19 on the generation, was once the ultimate identified particular person to have had touch with the sufferers.

Limestone County Investigator Rodney McAbee mentioned that, consistent with Copeland’s commentary, he met the 2 the moment sooner than the capturing at a birthday party in Madison. Copeland instructed investigators the 2 requested him for marijuana; the 3 upcoming went to an ATM to get money for the transaction, however the two didn’t have plenty finances, so that they returned to the birthday party. McAbee mentioned Copeland claimed he and the sufferers mentioned buying and selling a gun for marijuana, however determined towards it. He additionally instructed investigators the duo stressed him into purchasing heroin, a drug he does now not utility.

The upcoming moment, sooner than daybreak, the duo texted Copeland accusing him of stealing their gun the evening sooner than, McAbee mentioned. He says they demanded the go back of the gun or the money worth of the gun. Copeland maintains that he by no means took the gun. He mentioned the sufferers agreed to proportion their location and Copeland met them there. It was once on Analicia Power.

In step with McAbee, Copeland instructed investigators he attempted to offer them what he had, which was once marijuana, drugs and the heroin he purchased the moment sooner than. His commentary is going on to mention that he was once status at the passenger aspect of the auto when probably the most sufferers pointed a gun at him hard extra. At that time, consistent with McAbee, Copeland says he “pretended to cry” and reached for his again, pulled his personal pistol from his belt and fired.

Pace at the rise, McAbee defined that the gun became out to be an airsoft gun. He mentioned Copeland instructed them he idea the gun was once actual, including that then firing he reached the passenger aspect window, picked up the airsoft gun, wiped his fingerprints at the door and walked away. was once at his house in Madison.

McAbee mentioned Copeland admitted to burning his garments, throwing his gun into the waters of a flora and fauna shelter and hiding the airsoft gun.

McAbee says {the teenager} turned into an individual of hobby when it was once distinguishable he was once the ultimate particular person contacted through the sufferers. He says they went to his area in Madison and he was once at the porch rolling a marijuana cigarette and ran out to the yard as soon as he noticed some deputies. McAbee says day Copeland was once operating, he dropped drugs and marijuana sooner than being apprehended.

The investigator defined that Copeland was once interviewed and made a commentary. He says they were given the airsoft gun.

Courtroom information display the primary moment of the jury trial is because of start at 9 a.m. on February 13 on the Limestone County Courthouse with Pass judgement on Chadwick Sensible.