Danville opens new athletic facility Page A3
Hometown newspaper of Anthony Hood- since 1933
Tigers season ends with loss at Gadsden Page B1
Hartselle Enquirer
50 CENTS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023
VOLUME 90, NO. 47
13 graduate from Morgan County drug court By David Gambino For the Enquirer
A ceremony held for 13 graduates of Morgan County’s Drug Court Nov. 7, presided over by Circuit Judge Charles Elliott and attended by supporters, family and friends, saw tears and testimonies from former drug users as they shared their experiences. “What made me open my eyes was sitting in a jail cell,” said Thomas Wiski. “They say you’ll know when you hit rock bottom, and they’re right. I was sitting in a jail cell, and I looked down and all I saw was I’m 30 years old and all I own is a pair of socks.” Drug court participants can only enter the program by pleading guilty. Successful completion of the program leads to dismissal of the felony charge. Termination from the program leads to sentencing based on the guilty plea. PHOTOS BY JERONIMO NISA Drug court is also arduous. In addition Circuit Judge Charles Elliott speaks during the Morgan County Drug Court gradua- to an initial assessment followed by intensive treatment and counseling, it requires tion ceremony at Decatur First Baptist Church Nov. 7.
Chiropractor accused of poisoning wife tries again to modify bond conditions
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numerous random drug screens — as many as three per week early on — and attendance at court sessions once or twice a month. Participants must commit to 80 volunteer hours. It also costs money, which is in short supply for participants who often have lost their jobs because of their addiction. And it’s not a short commitment. The fastest a person can complete the program is 13 months, but unlike probation there is no set end date. The average participant is cleared to graduate in about 18-20 months, and some remain in the program for years. Last week’s ceremony was held at the First Baptist Church of Decatur and included prayer and graduation music. “These are the people that have qualified to graduate since June,” said Elliott. “We used to have them graduate whenever they completed everything. We’d just do it in court. Now, we want to try to move to something a little bit more celebratory, a little bit
See COURT, page 5
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By David Gambino For the Enquirer A Hartselle man accused of poisoning his wife with lead from his Decatur chiropractic office has filed a second request in Morgan County Circuit Court to amend his bond conditions and remove the requirement that he report to jail every weekend. Brian Thomas Mann, 34, was arrested in September 2022 after being indicted for the attempted murder of his wife. He was conditionally released from jail after posting a $500,000 bond in January. Since his release, he’s been required to wear a GPS monitor and report to the Morgan County Jail every weekend. Mann’s attorney, Britt Cauthen, had previously filed a motion to remove the weekend reporting requirement in May. Circuit Judge Charles Elliot resolved the motion in a one-word order: “Denied.” On Friday, Cauthen filed another motion claiming Mann’s bond conditions are preventing him from finding employment. Two letters from prospective employers expressing an interest in hiring Mann were attached to the filing. Mann has passed all his drug screens and has reported to jail each Friday in a “timely” fashion, according to Cauthen. Cauthen claimed almost every job Mann has interviewed for requires availability as early as 7 a.m. on Monday and as late as 7:15 p.m. on Friday. Currently, Mann is required to report to jail no later than 4 p.m. on Friday through 8 a.m. Monday. “The defendant (Mann) has not been able to support himself and pay his child support in accordance with the order of this court in his divorce,” Cauthen wrote. The motion argues that Mann has complied with the no-contact order for his wife and children and that he is not a flight risk due to the GPS monitor. A letter from Walker Sny-
Obituaries
• Jossie Bell Morris • Sarah Frances Flowers • James Harold ‘Jim’ Wright, Jr. • Terry L. ‘TK’ Kelly • Betty Payne Olson
Mann der State Farm, of Huntsville, says the company would be “pleased” to offer Mann a position, but that they are unable to provide a formal job offer unless Mann can be available as late as 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Another letter from a hiring manager at BGIS in Huntsville expressed interest in “adding Brian Mann to the team,” but claims shifts require weekend availability. Morgan County District Attorney Scott Anderson said on Tuesday that he is opposed to any amendments to Mann’s pretrial release conditions “based upon his history.” According to a pending divorce case filed by his wife, Mann intentionally poisoned her with lead particles, leading to her hospitalization from Jan. 18, 2022, to March 3, 2022. Mann has denied the divorce allegations and pleaded not guilty in the criminal case. Mann’s criminal trial on the attempted murder charge is set for May 13. Mann is scheduled to give a deposition in his divorce case on Nov. 21. An attorney representing Mann’s wife, Hannah Pettey Mann, requested that he bring all bank statements during 2022 and 2023 showing deposits and withdrawals, an up-to-date mortgage statement for his residence, a closing statement reflecting the sale of his previous business premises, and all documents he expects to offer into evidence during his trial. For full obituaries, see page A-2
COURTESY PHOTO
Jackson Boyer, a 2020 graduate of Hartselle High School, celebrates after he is selected as a future Naval Flight Officer. Boyer will graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy on May 24, 2024.
Rebekah Yancey rebekah.yancey @hartselleenquirer.com Former Hartselle High School standout, Jackson Boyer, a 2020 graduate, is set to soar to new heights as he received his service assignment as a Naval Flight Officer in Pensacola, Fla. this past week. Boyer, who embarked on his journey at the United States Naval Academy as part of the Class of 2024, will graduate May 24 and begin his service. Boyer excelled both academically and athletically at Hartselle High School, according to Principal Brad Cooper. “He performed very highly in the classroom, like on the football field,” Cooper said of the linebacker. A standout on defense for the Tigers, Boyer finished his senior year with 106 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Boyer said his journey from Hartselle High School to the United States Naval Academy and now to the skies of Pensacola has been a full-circle experience. Through high school, Boyer said his plans were to follow in his mother’s footsteps and attend Auburn University – until he got an offer to play football at the U.S. Naval Academy. “When I got here, and I saw what it was about – more than the football – it’s a beautiful town and a great place to be, it really made sense for me,” he said. Boyer said he will find out in the spring when he reports to Pensacola. He is the son of Todd and Leslie Boyer of Hartselle. Proud grandparents are Myra Garrett and the late Craig Garrett and Sue Boyer and the late John Boyer, all of Hartselle.