In the late summer of 2002, a horrific crime shattered the quiet of rural Crenshaw County, Alabama, forever marking the community of Luverne. Jerry C. Ball, a 19-year-old male, was one of six family members brutally murdered in a single spree of violence at their home in Rutledge. The tragic event unfolded on August 26, 2002, leaving a lasting scar on the family and the local community.
Jerry was killed alongside his grandmother, Mila Ruth Ball, 62; his mother, JoAnn Ball, 35; his father, Willie Hasley, 40; and his two younger brothers, Tony Ball, 17, and John Ball, 14.
The sole survivor of the massacre was Jerry's 16-year-old sister, Janice Ball. Her boyfriend, 22-year-old Westley Devone Harris, was quickly identified as the primary suspect. Investigators believed the motive for the killings stemmed from the family's desire to separate Janice from Harris, with whom she had a young child. In the aftermath of the murders, Harris fled with Janice and their baby, prompting a nationwide alert. The search ended three days later when Harris was located and apprehended. Janice Ball was considered a witness and was not charged in connection with the murders.
The investigation revealed a chilling sequence of events. Harris arrived at the family's farm and systematically shot and killed the family members. Jerry Ball was the last to be murdered. He had been away from the home and returned to find the horrific scene unfolding. As he ran towards the house calling for his sister, Harris shot him in the head and chest. Harris then placed Jerry's body in the trunk of a car. Following his arrest, Harris was charged with six counts of capital murder.
Westley Devone Harris faced trial for the mass murder. His first trial in 2004 ended in a mistrial. However, a second trial in 2005 resulted in his conviction on all counts. Despite the jury's recommendation of life in prison without the possibility of parole by a vote of seven to five, the presiding judge overrode their decision and sentenced Harris to death for his crimes. He is currently incarcerated on death row at Holman Correctional Facility. The brutal deaths of Jerry C. Ball and his family remain a dark chapter in the history of Luverne, a stark reminder of a day of unimaginable loss.
