In the winter of 2019, the community of Enterprise, Alabama, was shaken by the violent death of 42-year-old Stevie Lamaric Franklin. A male security guard at a local lounge, Franklin was fatally shot in the back during a large altercation that broke out at his place of work on December 21st. The incident left a void in the lives of those who knew him and sparked a lengthy investigation to bring his killer to justice.
In the weeks following the shooting, law enforcement identified a
suspect, Amanual Key. However, Key was not immediately apprehended at the scene. U.S. Marshals later located and arrested him as he was reportedly on his way to Texas. Key was initially charged with the murder of Stevie Franklin, setting the stage for a legal battle to unfold in the Coffee County courthouse.
The trial, held in March 2024, delved into the chaotic events of that December night. Surveillance footage presented to the jury showed Key and Franklin in close proximity during the fight. Prosecutors also brought forward a witness who testified that Key had admitted to the shooting. The defense, however, argued the lack of direct physical evidence and accused the prosecution of selectively presenting their case. After nearly two hours of deliberation, the jury of six men and six women returned with a verdict. They found Amanual Key not guilty of murder but guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter. The jury concluded that while Key, who had been drinking, was responsible for Franklin's death, his actions were reckless rather than intentional. His sentencing was scheduled for the following month, where he faced a potential prison sentence of two to twenty years for his role in the tragic death of Stevie Lamaric Franklin.
