The News-Courier in Athens, Alabama

Local News

April 1, 2009

Hearing scheduled for suspect in shooting of nephew

An Ardmore man charged with fatally shooting his nephew after trying to prevent him from driving drunk is scheduled to appear Tuesday in Limestone County District Court.

Keith Daniel George, 35, of Oak Grove Road is scheduled to appear before District Judge Jeanne Anderson at 1:30 p.m.

George is accused of shooting his nephew — Russell “Rusty” George Jr., 26, of Ardmore — in the calf, chest and thigh just after midnight on March 16 during a family barbecue at 26768 Third Street in Ardmore, said Sheriff Mike Blakely.

At Tuesday’s hearing, the judge will determine if there is good cause to bind the case over to a grand jury for consideration for indictment. The judge will determine if she believes the crime occurred as charged and if she believes there is evidence the defendant committed the crime.

Blakely said George admitted shooting his nephew, and there were several witnesses present.

The judge will also determine whether to raise the defendant’s bond. George is being held in the Limestone County Jail in lieu of posting a $50,000 bond. Gary Clem is his appointed attorney.

On the night of the shooting, George tried to prevent his nephew from getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, Blakely said.

“When Rusty and his girlfriend started to leave, Keith told him he didn’t need to drive drunk and they got into it,” the sheriff has said.

Rusty struck Keith, which prompted Keith to get a stick from his truck, Blakely said. Rusty got the stick from Keith and struck him with it, so Keith retrieved his .45-caliber handgun and allegedly shot his nephew three times, the sheriff said.

Rusty died later that morning at Huntsville Hospital.

George was initially charged with attempted murder but was charged with murder after Rusty died.



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