CITRONELLE, ALABAMA — Derrick Dearman Set for Execution After 2016 Murders
Derrick Dearman, 36, is scheduled to be executed in Alabama on Thursday after spending eight years on death row for the brutal murder of five people in August 2016. This devastating crime was committed in the home of his then-girlfriend’s brother in the Mobile suburb of Citronelle. Dearman’s horrific rampage took the lives of those closely related by blood or marriage to his girlfriend, Laneta Lester, who was fortunate enough to escape the violence.
A Night of Horror
The attack unfolded in the early hours of August 20, 2016, when the victims were asleep. Court documents detail how Dearman, under the influence of amphetamines, broke into the home of Joseph Turner, who is Lester’s brother. Despite having received warnings to stay away, Dearman returned with an ax and a firearm and forced his way into the residence through locked doors.
Upon entering, he violently bludgeoned Robert Brown, who was asleep in a recliner, before moving on to Joseph Turner and his wife, Shannon Randall. Remarkably, their three-month-old infant was unharmed during this brutal incident. After attacking the couple, Dearman proceeded to the adjacent bedroom of Justin and Chelsea Reed, where a struggle between Dearman and Justin ensued. Tragically, Dearman was able to take control of a gun during the confrontation and shot both Justin and Chelsea, as well as Robert Brown again. He then shot Shannon before fleeing the scene with baby Randall.
Capture and Trial
Dearman turned himself in the next day and later pleaded guilty to all charges after initially entering a not-guilty plea. Following multiple mental evaluations, the courts affirmed that he was competent to stand trial. In 2018, a jury unanimously recommended that Dearman receive the death penalty, a sentence that was upheld by the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals.
Focusing on Justice
In April 2024, Dearman sent letters to state officials, including Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, expressing his desire to withdraw his appeals and have his execution carried out. He articulated in his letters that delaying the process was unfair to the victims and their families, claiming they “rightly deserve” justice. This decision has raised questions among some observers, including Ashley Rich, the former Mobile County District Attorney. Rich mentioned that Dearman’s actions indicate he desires control over the process, similar to the control he exercised over his victims’ lives.
Upcoming Execution Details
If everything goes according to plan, Dearman will be the fifth inmate executed in Alabama this year and the 20th in the country. Gov. Kay Ivey announced the date of the execution this past September, solidifying the plans to carry it out just after 6 p.m. CT on Thursday. Dearman has opted for execution by lethal injection rather than nitrogen gas, which has sparked controversy following its recent application in previous executions.
Reflections on the Crime and Sentencing
The terrible events of that August night reflect a complex series of personal struggles, including Dearman’s tumultuous relationship with Lester. Each victim lost their life that night, leaving behind mourning families, and the question of justice for them fuels ongoing discussions about capital punishment in the United States.
Dearman’s execution coincides with another scheduled execution for Robert Leslie Roberson in Texas, raising broader conversations about the fairness and effectiveness of the death penalty across the nation.
As the clock ticks down, Citronelle holds its breath, anticipating the end of a long chapter of grief and pain that started on that fateful night in 2016.
