UPDATE: Mobile County jury convicts woman of capital murder of ex-boyfriend

UPDATE:

Woman Found Guilty of Capital Murder in Ex-Boyfriend’s Shooting Death

Mobile County Circuit Judge Ben Brooks has set Alexis Gertrude Young’s sentencing for next month, but it largely is a formality. Since prosecutors took the death penalty off the table, he has only one choice – life in prison without possibility of parole.

Prosecutors alleged that the 40-year-old Mobile woman went to the apartment of Aaron “A.J.” Williams, angry that he had a new girlfriend after a tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship with her. They alleged that she shot him to death during a burglary – that she entered his home without permission. That is the element that elevated the charge from intentional murder to capital murder.

The defense contended that the shooting took place after Williams had inflicted years of abuse on Young. They argued it amounted to battered woman syndrome, which caused post-traumatic stress disorder.

But the jury, after about an hour of deliberation, rejected that and several options for less-serious alternatives to the capital charge. The victim’s father, Aaron Williams Sr., said the jury did a “fantastic” job gut added that it goes only so far in comforting his family.

“When it’s all said and done, is one thing that still ain’t gonna change,” he said. “Alexis Young’s family will be able to see her and talk to her. But me and my family, we’ll never see my son or be able to talk to him again.”

Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood praised the verdict.

“Our job is to pursue justice and hold those accountable for the crimes they commit in order to keep our communities the safest they can be,” he said in a prepared statement. “I believe our prosecutors have done that in this case by presenting the facts to the jurors, who ultimately found Alexis Young guilty.”

Defense attorney Jonathan Friedlander said he hoped the jury at least would determine that the alleged abuse was a mitigating factor and opt for a lesser charge.

“We didn’t really have high hopes for self-defense, but we thought we had a pretty good shot of getting manslaughter or even a regular murder conviction,” he said. “And we really just thought that this was overcharged and still think it was overcharged.”

Prosecutors during closing arguments hammered Young over key differences between her testimony on Thursday and what she told police immediately following the shooting on Aug. 16, 2020.

In her testimony, for instance, she said she went to Williams’ home to return some of his belongings. She denied that she was angry over a Facebook post he made an hour earlier about his new relationship.

But Assistant District Attorney Madison Davis reminded jurors that Young made no mention of returning anything when police questioned her immediately after the shooting.

Davis said Young was a “jealous ex-girlfriend” who “lied intestinally about multiples things.”

The defense offered testimony from a psychologist to back battered woman syndrome claim. Young’s lawyers said the defense has been raised in other parts of the country and that the Alabama Supreme Court has recognized it as a defense in Alabama. But they said they were not aware of any lawyer asserting it in Mobile.

Friedlander told FOX10 News that the idea behind the defense is that repeated abuse changes a person’s perception of what a threat.

Co-counsel Bucky Thomas told jurors during closing arguments that his client was with Williams for three years and that the abuse started three or seven months – depending on conflicting testimony – after the relationship started.

“Whatever number you want to subtract from that (three years), that is one day longer than any woman or man should have to endure at the hands of an abuser,” he said.

But Davis Young’s actions were intentional.

“You can’t tell someone you’re gonna kill them, then go to get your gun and come back and then claim self-defense,” she said.

Sentencing for Young is set for Sept. 11.

Updated at 4:42 p.m. with reaction from the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office, the defense and the victim’s father. Updated at 6:30 p.m. with additional information.

EARLIER STORY:

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – The capital murder trial of Alexis Young continued Thursday in Mobile with the defendant taking the stand in her own defense.

Young is accused of shooting into an apartment and killing her former boyfriend, Aaron Williams, in 2020.

Prosecutors allege that young was angry that Williams had moved on. They noted that the shooting took place an hour after he posted to Facebook about his new relationship. During cross-examination, Young testified Thursday

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses a murder trial involving a woman who allegedly killed her ex-boyfriend. The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 5 as it involves gender-based violence and the unequal power dynamics in relationships. It is also connected to SDG 10 as it addresses the reduction of inequalities, specifically in terms of addressing domestic violence and abuse. Additionally, it is connected to SDG 16 as it involves the pursuit of justice and the functioning of institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
• SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are related to SDG 5.2, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. It also relates to SDG 10.2, which focuses on promoting inclusion and reducing inequalities. Lastly, it connects to SDG 16.3, which emphasizes the promotion of the rule of law and equal access to justice.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 5.2: Number of reported cases of violence against women and girls
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of the population who have experienced discrimination or harassment based on attributes such as sex, age, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic status
• Indicator for SDG 16.3: Proportion of the population who have access to legal aid services and representation

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, to measure progress towards the identified targets, indicators such as the number of reported cases of violence against women and girls (SDG 5.2), the proportion of the population who have experienced discrimination or harassment (SDG 10.2), and the proportion of the population who have access to legal aid services (SDG 16.3) can be used.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: fox10tv.com

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.