Second arrest made in McKenzie cold case
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Corey Hughes
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
A second arrest has now been made in the 23-year-old cold case involving the murder of 23-year-old Julia McKenzie in a night club shooting in Kellyton on November 16, 1998.
As reported in late April, 45-year-old Bernard Russell of Kellyton was arrested in connection with the case, and a second arrest was pending. At the time, Howell said that the second suspect was incarcerated elsewhere.
However, he reported this week that on May 9 that second suspect was arrested. He was identified as 48-year-old Corey Hughes of Sylacauga.
Following a grand jury indictment, he was arrested on the charge of manslaughter, just like Russell. Hughes’ bond was set at $100,000, and as of press time he remained in custody at the Coosa County Jail awaiting trial.
Russell was released on bond on May 21, being allowed to sign his own bond on personal recognizance after spending 24 days in jail.
Following this second arrest, Howell said that no other arrests are expected to be made relating to the 1998 case.
According to the Code of Alabama, a person commits the crime of manslaughter if “he recklessly causes the death of another person, or he causes the death of another person under circumstances that would constitute murder under Section 13A-6-2; except that he causes the death due to a sudden heat of passion caused by provocation recognized by law, and before a reasonable time for the passion to cool and for reason to reassert itself.”
Manslaughter is a Class B felony, and with this case involving a firearm, it is punishable by 10-20 years imprisonment if convicted.