Marine veteran middle school teacher, 36, who shot dead an 11-year-old boy on a turkey hunt has charges upgraded to capital murder by Alabama grand jury
A grand jury has upgraded charges against Alabama man Joshua Stewart Burks, 36, in the May shooting death of 11-year-old Troy Ellis
On December 10 Burks was charged with capital murder of a person under the age of 14 and faces eligibility for the death penalty if convicted
In May Burks, a military vet and middle school teacher, went on a turkey hunt
During the hunt he fatally shot Troy Ellis and injured his father Obed Ellis
He was booked back into Jefferson County Jail Friday and released on bond
By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE As the world anxiously awaits a new year, we are looking back on top stories from 2020. Here is a look at the good, the bad and the ugly of a historic year.
Coronavirus pandemic impacts lives, changes way of living for many
ATLANTA The coronavirus pandemic was responsible for nearly 80 million reported illnesses worldwide in December 2020. But, the illness, named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO), actually began in 2019. Health experts first identified the virus in Wuhan, China.
Although many people reported little to no symptoms, some have reported severe illness. Around 1.72 deaths have been attributed to coronavirus. A person can remain infectious for up to two weeks after catching COVID-19.
Marine Veteran Indicted for Even More Serious Charge in Shooting Death of 11-Year-Old Boy Alberto Luperon
Joshua Stewart Burks
A Marine veteran faces even more legal jeopardy in the shooting death of an 11-year-old boy. A grand jury in Jefferson County, Alabama indicted
Joshua Stewart Burks, 36, on a count of capital murder of a person under the age of 14, according to AL.com. They heard the case back on Dec. 10. The defendant originally faced reckless manslaughter for shooting young
Troy Ellis at a turkey hunt on May 1, 2020.
There is no dispute this killing happened. One of Burks’ attorneys admits it did, but asserts it was an tragic accident. The issue now is the grand jury bypassed the original charge for something more serious.
Alberto LuperonDec 24th, 2020, 9:21 am
Joshua Stewart Burks
A Marine veteran faces even more legal jeopardy in the shooting death of an 11-year-old boy. A grand jury in Jefferson County, Alabama indicted
Joshua Stewart Burks, 36, on a count of capital murder of a person under the age of 14, according to AL.com.
Grand jurors heard the case back on Dec. 10. The defendant originally faced reckless manslaughter for shooting young
Troy Ellis at a turkey hunt on May 1, 2020.
There is no dispute this killing happened. One of Burks’ attorneys admits it did, but asserts it was an tragic accident. The issue now is the grand jury bypassed the original charge for something more serious.
Former Teacher Gets Charged With Capital Murder For Gunning Down 11-Year-Old In A Turkey-Hunting Accident
Dec 23 2020, 12:14PM EST
A former middle school teacher from Alabama, who was accused of killing a student in a Turkey hunting accident in Jefferson County was slapped with upgraded criminal charges on Friday.
Joshua Stewart Burks, 36 was initially facing charges of reckless manslaughter after his bullet fatally pierced through Troy Ellis, an 11-year-old student. Now, he faces upgraded charges to capital murder of a person below 14 and was released on Friday after posting a $60,000 bond.
The fateful incident occurred at around 9 a.m. on May 1 at an event curated by a group, America’s Heroes Enjoying Recreation Outdoors. The group hosts various hunts for wounded veterans like Burks, where The Cahaba Elementary School fifth-grader and his father Obed Ellis was present.