A Limestone County grand jury has downgraded some of the initial charges against three people accused in the fatal shooting of Brenton Gatlin in July, records show.

Terry Dale Amerson, 23, of Athens; Kandes Elizabeth Lambert, 27, of Athens; and Marty Gene Stafford II, 28, of Decatur, have been formally charged with reckless murder, felony murder and first-degree robbery, according to court records.

They are accused of killing Gatlin, 27, on July 25 during a botched robbery.

Electronic court records initially showed the three had been indicted Oct. 18 on charges of capital murder and first-degree robbery but the record was changed to reflect the grand jury formally charging them with the lesser charges and first-degree robbery.

Background

Athens 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.

The suspects have remained in the Limestone County Jail since District Judge Matthew Huggins denied requests to set bail. Under state law, a judge can deny bail to defendants accused of capital murder — murder in the commission of certain other felonies, such as robbery.