The Tri b oone
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By Hannah Caver, Staff Writer
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Schools Board of Education met on Monday, Oct. 25, celebrating progress during the school year and lower numbers of COVID cases. See BOE, Page 2
Pinson Council hires retail recruitment consultant By Crystal McGough, For The Tribune
PINSON – The Pinson City Council unanimously approved a motion Thursday, Oct. 21, to enter into a professional services agreement with Government Partnership Solutions, Inc., an organization that provides professional consultant services in retail recruitment. See PINSON, Page 6
Trussville City Council holds election of Council President and President Pro Tem; approves promotion of four city employees By Tanna M. Friday, Managing Editor
TRUSSVILLE — On Tuesday evening, Oct. 26, Trussville City Council met in the council chambers See COUNCIL, Page 4
Mayor Choat announced expansion of Trussville City Hall building From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The future expansion of Trussville City Hall will draw on the city’s past and modern architecture for the project. See EXPANSION, Page 3
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Lass But Not Least
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Miss Trussville supports T.E.A.M.
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2021
Trussville woman arrested for child abuse charged with attempted murder
From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — A Trussville woman has been indicted for attempted murder. The indictment placed online on Monday revealed that the grand jury returned two indictments against Kala Blakely of Trussville. One for aggravated child abuse and another for attempted murder. Count one of the indictment charged Blakely “with the intent to commit the crime of murder, as described by Section 13A-6-2, of the Code of Alabama, attempt to intentionally cause the death of (redacted) by committed overt act towards the commission of the crime of murder, towit: by medical neglect and/ or strangulation and/or starvation and/or beating her, in violation of Section 13A-4-2, the Code of Alabama.” Count two of the indictment charged Blakely as “having permanent or temporary care or custody or the responsibility for the supervision of
(redacted) a child under the age of 18 years, did willfully torture, willfully abuse, cruelly beat or otherwise willfully maltreat said child by hitting her and/or stomping on her and/or refusing her medical treatment and/or starving her, said abuse having taken place on more than one occasion in violation of Section 26-153.1(a)(1).” A months-long investigation has led to the arrest of a Kala Kameron Blakely of Trussville, according to a police report and jail records. Blakely, 39, of Trussville, was charged with aggravated child abuse of a non-family member. Blakely was taken into custody at 5 p.m. and booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 12 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. She is being held without bond. Blakely was arrested following a grand jury indictment, according to Trussville Police Chief Eric Rush. “This investigation began months ago and it was an exhaustive investigation that in-
Kala Blakely, 39, of Trussville, was charged with aggravated child abuse.
volved interviewing multiple witnesses and medical professionals,” Rush said. “Our investigators turned the information over to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office and they took the case to the grand jury.” The Trussville Police Department began an investigation into a possible child neglect case on Jan. 21, 2021, after being contacted by Jef-
ATMORE — Willie B. Smith was put to death via lethal injection at William C. Holman Correctional Facility on Thursday evening, October 21, 2021. Smith, 52, was convicted and sentenced to die for killing a Trussville woman in 1991. He and an accomplice, Angelica Willis, kidnapped Sharma Ruth Johnson from an ATM location near Center Point in the late evening hours of October 16 , 1991, withdrew $80 from her bank account, and then Smith shot and killed Johnson in a cemetery as she begged for her life. Smith and his victim were both 22 years old at the time. The execution was scheduled for 6 p.m., however, it was delayed as officials waited to hear whether the U.S. Supreme Court would issue a stay. The Court ultimately denied relief for Smith, and his execution went forward. Smith died by lethal injection and was pronounced dead at 9:47 p.m., according
to the Alabama Department of Corrections. According to Jeff Dunn, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Corrections, Johnson’s family issued a brief statement. “After waiting for 30 years, justice has been served.” Williams declined to make a final statement before his death. On Feb. 11 of this year, the state called off Smith’s execution when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld an injunction prohibiting his execution unless his pastor was with him. Smith refused breakfast, lunch and a final meal,
ADOC reported Thursday evening, but was observed eating snacks like M&Ms and barbecue potato chips prior to his execution. On Wednesday, Smith met with his spiritual adviser and attorneys. He received six phone calls Thursday — from a minister, attorneys and family members — and was visited again today by his attorneys, according to The Associated Press. Related Story: Gov. Ivey, AG Marshall issue statements following execution of Trussville’s Sharma Johnson’s murderer
See TRUSSVILLE, Page 3
See ARGO, Page 3
Earlier this week, U.S. Chief District Judge Emily Marks denied a request for a preliminary injunction sought by Smith’s lawyers. The 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ordered Marks to consider the injunction request, which she denied after ruling that Smith was not likely to prevail in the lawsuit, which was brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This means that Smith’s execution moved forward, pending a successful appeal by the court or a stay by the governor’s office. Smith’s execution occurred nearly 30 years to the day that Smith and an accomplice kidnapped and murdered their victim. Smith’s attorneys appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the court chose not to issue a stay of execution, allowing Smith’s execution to go forward. Testimony at the trial revealed that Johnson had no prior relationship with Smith and Willis, and that she had been picked at random to be the victim of the crime. See EXECUTION, Page 6
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By Nathan Prewett, For The Tribune
MOODY – During a regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 25, the Moody City Council approved three resolutions related to first responders dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, including a resolution to create a program to help with staff shortages.
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Moody Council approves federal funds to form COVID first responders program
ferson County DHR. Investigators received information that a 12-year-old Spanish-speaking child may be the victim of neglect, at the hands of her adoptive mother, according to a statement released by the Trussville Police Department. After a joint investigation involving the Trussville Police Department, DHR, Prescott House and the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, it was determined that the child showed signs of physical abuse as well as neglect, police said. According to Trussville police, the child was originally admitted into Children’s of Alabama and upon release, investigators found the adoptive mother refused to follow doctor’s orders, according to a statement from TPD. The child also suffered bruises, scratches and lacerations on her spine, legs, arms, and feet, and had lost a significant amount of weight.
Trussville woman’s murderer executed By Bobby Mathews, Sports Editor
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TCS BOE congratulates board members on Board Member Academy certification
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See MOODY, Page 4
Argo City Council discusses Trunk or Treat, Christmas for Kids From The Tribune staff reports
ARGO – Argo City Councilor Michael Bricks announced at the regular Argo council meeting on Monday, October 25, that the city’s Trunk or Treat event will take place at Argo Hardware on October 31, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Plans announced for a new Trussville Academy of Gymnastics From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The future expansion of Trussville Academy of Gymnastics will be added to the Trussville Civic Center. See GYMNASTICS, Page 5
Center Point Council removes property off demolition list, addresses residents’ concerns By Faith Callens, For The Tribune
CENTER POINT — The Center Point City Council approved a resolution to remove a building off the demolition list for a resident to continue repairs on Thursday, October 21. See CENTER POINT, Page 4