MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has put up $5,000 rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction in two unsolved killings.
Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson announced the rewards Friday in the 2015 slaying of Taffine Smith Berry, 37, and the 2020 slaying of Christopher Murphy, 48, al.com reported. Both homicides occurred in Selma.
“Law enforcement and the families are very thankful for the governor taking this action,’′ Jackson said. “Hopefully it will help bring forth witnesses or evidence to help solve these cases.’′
Berry and her husband, Tra Berry, were shot on March 15, 2015. Authorities said the victims were at a social gathering at a business and were leaving when the shooting happened. Someone approached a group gathered in a parking lot and opened fire with an assault weapon.
Taffine Berry was shot in the neck and stomach; her husband was shot in the leg. Taffine Berry was on life support until she was officially pronounced dead three days later. Tra Berry recovered from his injuries.
Police said no one at the scene could provide investigators with any information about the shooter.
In the other case, Murphy was fatally shot June 2. First responders found Murphy unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Witnesses told police that Murphy had argued with several people the night he was shot. A witness told police that a man wearing an orange shirt and mask shot Murphy while he was in a vehicle. Murphy exited the vehicle and collapsed to the ground. The shooter reportedly then stood over Murphy and shot him at least once more.
Anyone with information is asked to call Selma Police at 334-874-2137 or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP.
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