Murder trial set in Limestone

Published 6:30 am Wednesday, November 22, 2017

The trial of a man accused in the 2015 murder of his ex-wife’s boyfriend is tentatively scheduled for early December in Limestone County.

Charles “Frankie” McCluskey, 46, of 16601 Zehner Road, Athens, is scheduled for trial at 9 a.m. Dec. 11 before Circuit Judge Chadwick Wise.

A plea docket is also set for Nov. 30, at which time McCluskey could choose to plead guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence.

McCluskey 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.

The Limestone County grand jury indicted him on the charge Oct. 9, 2015.

He remains free on $30,000 bond pending his trial.

The case

On the day of the shooting, Kyle was looking for his girlfriend, following an argument with her earlier in the day. He 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 repeatedly 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.