Attorney General Steve Marshall Announces Court of Criminal Appeals Upholds Murder Conviction in Clarke County

November 15, 2024 - (Montgomery, Ala.) - Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction of Jeremiah Wesley Irvin, 25, of Thomasville, for murder. Irvin was convicted in the Clarke County Circuit Court on June 16, 2023.

The evidence at trial showed that on the night of February 2, 2021, Fredrick Wright was shot and killed on the front porch of his house by Irvin. The evidence further showed the victim, and Irvin had engaged in an altercation a few weeks before the victim's murder. At trial, evidence was presented that showed Irvin had told a witness that he had gotten into an argument with someone at a gas station and was acting in an agitated manner. The witness later heard gunshots shortly afterwards when Irvin left the residence. Finally, the State presented evidence that Irvin had tried to influence the potential testimony of one of the witnesses in the case.

Clarke County District Attorney Stephen K. Winters' office successfully prosecuted this case and obtained a guilty verdict. Irvin was sentenced to forty years imprisonment for his conviction. Irvin sought to have his conviction reversed on appeal.

The Attorney General's Criminal Appeals Division handled the case during the appeals process, arguing for the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals to affirm Irvin's conviction. The Court did so in a decision issued Friday, November 8, 2024.

Attorney General Marshall commended Assistant Attorney General Marc A. Starrett for his successful work on this case and thanks District Attorney Stephen K. Winters and his staff, for their valuable assistance in defending the murder conviction.