3 murder trials set June 12 in Limestone, 2 must be moved

Published 6:30 am Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Three Limestone County murder cases have been set for trial in June, but at least two will have to be rescheduled because all three are scheduled the same week.

The cases against Dawn Doreen Child, Charles Franklin “Frankie” McCluskey and Christopher Thomas Copeland are set for trial June 12 in Limestone County Circuit Court, records show.

A June 1 plea date is set in each case, at which time the accused could plead guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence.

At least two of the cases will have to be rescheduled because there is typically time for only one major trial during a trial week.

All three deaths occurred in 2015.

Boyfriend shooting

Child, 49, of 24158 Upper Fort Hampton Road, Elkmont, is charged with murder in the fatal shooting of her boyfriend, Gary Leon Cox, 53, at her home on Feb. 21.

Child, who had a dog-grooming and pet-sitting business, allegedly became angry with Cox because he disobeyed her directives to leave a harness on a dog, Limestone County Chief Investigator Stanley McNatt said at the time of the shooting.

When the argument between the couple escalated, Child left the room. Cox followed her, and they began shoving one another. Child retrieved her handgun and shot Cox three times, McNatt said.

She remains free on a $50,000 bond.

Shooting at park

McCluskey, 45, of 16601 Zehner Road, is charged with murder in the fatal shooting of 41-year-old Ronnie Kyle Jr. following an argument at McCluskey’s mobile home in the Clements community on March 4.

Kyle, who was looking for his girlfriend following an argument with her earlier in the day, had driven to McCluskey’s home about 7:24 p.m. to see if she was there. (Kyle’s girlfriend and McCluskey were once married.)

Sheriff Mike Blakely said McCluskey got his single-barrel, 20-gauge shotgun and walked outside after Kyle arrived and repeatedly called for his girlfriend, who was not there.

McCluskey told Kyle to leave and the two began to argue. McCluskey fired at Kyle’s windshield, hitting him in the hand and chest. Kyle was declared dead on arrival at Huntsville Hospital.

McCluskey told investigators Kyle was revving his engine and driving forward at him and family members when he fired.

McCluskey remains free on a $30,000 bond.

Girlfriend death

Copeland, 36, of 2809 Mercedes Ave., Huntsville, is charged with murder for allegedly bludgeoning to death his girlfriend, 37-year-old Tonya Carroll, at their home in the 28000 block of Copeland Road on July 19.

Carroll’s cousin had notified authorities that morning after finding on her telephone a frantic message from Carroll seeking help. The recording of Carroll’s phone call captured Copeland in the background threatening to kill Carroll, Sheriff Mike Blakely said at the time. Although Carroll left the message at 5:45 a.m., the cousin did not hear it until three hours later.

A deputy found Carroll on the floor of the bathroom. The sheriff said Carroll might have been struck with a fire extinguisher found inside the house, though he said officials would have to determine how she was killed.

Copeland remains free on a $500,000 bond.