A Limestone County grand jury has downgraded to reckless murder the charges against three people first accused of capital murder-robbery in the death of an Athens man, court records show. 

On Oct. 18, the Limestone County grand jury indicted Terry Dale Amerson, 23, of Athens; Kandes Elizabeth Lambert, 27, of Athens; and Marty Gene Stafford II, 28, of Decatur, in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Brenton Gatlin on July 25, court records show. 

The three had been initially charged with capital murder in the commission of robbery. The grand jury could not find adequate evidence to formally charge the three with capital murder but they could for reckless murder.

Online court records available Tuesday indicated the three had been indicted on capital murder. The information was updated Wednesday to reflect reckless murder. Both charges are felonies, but a conviction on capital murder often results in the harshest sentence — life in prison or death.  

Police Chief Floyd Johnson said the suspects were in the process of stealing cash from Gatlin when he was shot in the head at the home of Lambert, who lives at 712 Horton St. The chief said drugs and money may have prompted the shooting, which was reported about 10 p.m. Gatlin died later at Athens-Limestone Hospital.