Trial Date Set For Bibb County Deputy’s Accused Shooter
Bibb County Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Johnson passed away on this date in 2022, after being shot in the line of duty the previous day. He and Deputy Chris Poole were ambushed after stopping a stolen vehicle, with the suspect opening fire. Deputy Johnson succumbed to his injuries while on life support so his organs could be donated.
Now, four years later, a judge has set a trial date of Septermber 28th for the suspect in that incident, Austin Hall. He had an extensive criminal record but had been released early from prison and was driving a stolen car when he refused to stop for Deputy Johnson. That led to a chase and Johnson dying from wounds suffered in a shootout. Poole was wounded but has recovered.
Deputy Johnson was an 8-year veteran of the Bibb County Sheriff's Office, a K9 handler, and was survived by his fiancée and two daughters.
Multiple law enforcement agencies from across West Alabama and even East Mississippi, participated in an intensive 16-hour manhunt. Hall was captured without icident as he hid under a relatives house in the Brierfield area of Bibb County.
Hall is facing multiple charges, including three counts of capital murder, attempted murder, and discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle. He has pleaded not guilty.
In April Hall's attorneys filed a motion for a change of venue in the case. They claimed “extensive pretrial publicity, widespread community discussion, and strong preconceived opinions” about the case will make impossible to draw an unbiased jury. Th requested the trial be moved elsewhere in Alabama’s 4th Judicial Circuit, where they say publicity has been less widespread. That circuit includes Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry, and Wilcox counties.
In a May 1st ruling, Circuit Judge Marvin W. Wiggins denied the motion, stating it is rejected “at this juncture,” signaling the court is not ruling out reconsidering the issue later.
If convicted, Hall could face the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
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