Word on the street in Coosa County

Frank Teel


As most of you who know anything about Coosa County, Alabama can imagine, the whole county is abuzz with talk of the Frank Teel extortion case.

In every store I've been in, that has been the conversation. No one seems surprised about it. They've all lived under the oppressive rule of the Teel monarchy for years. Most say they are surprised it took this long. Everybody has a horror story about retired Judge Robert Teel, including yours truly. He was truly an evil man. One business owner told me yesterday that when Robert Teel retired he went into seclusion. If I had mistreated and pissed off nearly every citizen in my county for as many years as he did I probably go into deep hiding, too. Deep, deep hiding.

One conversation I had with a Coosa Co. business owner yesterday focused on the $5 million dollar extortion plot and how that money might have been split. This particular business owner said they believe it would have gone down like this.

$1 million for Frank Teel
$1 million for Frank Bailey
$1 million for DA Fred Thompson (Teel's boss)
$1 million for Judge John E. Rochester (Fred Thompson's boss of sorts and former law partner)
$1 million for the Coosa Co. Sheriff Terry Wilson

Why? Because all of those people would have had to be involved in order to make a capital murder indictment go away. And that rings true. At the very least Fred Thompson would have had to know because there really is no way for the assistant DA to make something like that happen without the DA knowing.

A few days ago I got an email from a friend of Carl Weaver (victim of alleged extortion plot) in Gadsden denying that Weaver had anything to do with the grow op found at the murder scene. They claim that Weaver had an altercation with one of the homicide victims about 9 months prior to the murders and that the survivor, Firestone, hired Bailey and Teel to represent him in a civil case against Weaver. From what I can determine the civil suit claims Weaver is in some way responsible for the murders and attempted murder. This person claims they (Teel, Bailey) decided shake down Weaver because he supposedly has a lot of money. Weaver owns a company called Techtrix in Gadsden, which was given a commendation by the Alabama legislature back when Guy Hunt was Governor. Techtrix Commendation

Someone on the Gadsden forums is claiming that Weaver was connected to the grow op and had beaten cocaine distribution and possession charges in the past by paying his way out of it. I haven't found anything to back that up media-wise.

Another thing no media outlet is reporting is who owned the 165 acres of land that the three victims were leasing in Coosa Co. at the time of the murders. According to an article in the Daily Home the hunting lodge was described as basically a shack made out of odds and ends pieces of wood with a tin roof. Former Sheriff Bill Evans believed that the people leasing the cabin (victims) were connected to the grow op because of the trail leading from the cabin to the plants. I want to know who owned that land. I think it is an important piece of this puzzle.

And how, in 1995 when the State of Alabama had choppers in the air looking for pot plants, did 1,300 of them get overlooked in a prime pot growing location along the Coosa River? Waterways, including small creek beds and streams, are always targeted. My guess is that someone with enough power and money paid the 'authorities' to you know...just pretend they didn't see it. Had to. According to the Alabama Dept. of Public Safety website, Alabama has had aircraft of various sorts in the air looking for marijuana plants since 1973. So, it wasn't overlooked by accident.

I asked for and received permission to post the email sent to me by a friend of Carl Weaver's . Here it is in its entirety.

I wanted to let you know that Carl Weaver is a friend of ours and he never owned any pot plants, never hired any guards and had nothing to do with the original murders. He was a target for the shake down because he is thought to have a lot of money and that's the only reason they went after him. From the very beginning he co-operated with the authorities and his actions were guided by their agents. As his friend, I wanted to set the record straight.

My response:

Thanks for your email. Please feel free to post your comments on my blog. I am happy to have your views represented there.

I was merely trying to connect the dots in the extremely puzzling case. Why was your friend Mr. Weaver facing a possible grand jury indictment for capital murder?

Friends response:

Hi Loretta, I understand it's a confusing case but to answer your question....he was never facing indictment. That was the leverage being used to extort the money. The surviving victim hired Mr. Bailey to sue the people arrested for the crime and somehow the assistant D. A. got involved. About nine months before the murders, Mr. Weaver had an altercation with one of the victims...that's the only involvment....and it was decided Carl might have deep pockets and would be a good candidate for a shakedown. The assistant D.A. threatened to see that Carl was indicted for the crime even though he had taped confessions admitting Mr. Weaver was not involved. After being approached, Carl sought legal counsel, his lawyer made the necessary contact with the ABI and from there on, that office ran the investigation.

It's going to be one heck of a story when the details are all released and I wouldn't be surprised if a number of other Coosa County officials are drawn into the crime.

I asked this person if they knew who owned the land that the murders and attempted murders took place on and they said they didn't know.

We had a nice, civil discourse, which is a rare thing when I blog about such a high profile case. Usually both sides wind up wanting to cut my head off (let's hope I don't get burned alive for talking about this one). This person was very polite. But, I can't buy into everything they said. For instance, how could someone be charged with capital murder if there wasn't evidence connecting them to a capital murder? Not to say that I trust the cops or the judicial morons running the show here, I don't. Can't stand any of them and hope they all go to state prison for the rest of their lives. But, still, how could one be connected to a capital murder if there was absolutely no evidence that they had anything to do with it? I don't get that part. Then again people go to prison all the time for things they didn't do, including being sentenced to death for capital murders they did not commit. Just ask the Innocence Project.

This morning when I looked at my email there were two comments on this post from the sister of murder victim Darell Coleman. She is convinced that Mr. Weaver should have been arrested 15 years ago when this happened and that he is responsible. I have given her my email address and asked her to contact me with her side of events. Maybe she will be able to answer the question of who owned the property in question. The one thing I will caution her against is bringing in the feds. They shouldn't be brought into this case unless there is just no other way. Why? Because if the DA and lawyer are guilty of what they are accused of then an Alabama state prison would be much better accommodations for their crimes. Federal prisons are much too nice for the likes of these swine.

If I hear from Denise Coleman today I will ask permission to post her side of the story.

Carl Weaver and lawyer Jay Stover lay trap for Teel

According to the AP:

Associated Press - May 21, 2010 3:34 PM ET

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A lawyer for a Gadsden businessman says they alerted police after a Coosa County prosecutor and a private lawyer offered to keep the businessman from being indicted in a murder case in exchange for a $5 million payoff.

Attorney Jay Stover said Friday that he and his client, Carl Weaver, contacted Gadsden police in March after Weaver was offered the deal by Coosa County assistant district attorney Frank Teel of Sylacauga and Gadsden attorney Frank Wayne Bailey.

Bailey's lawyer says his client will be cleared and Frank Teel's lawyer is supposed to release a statement sometime today. Wonder who his lawyer is?

An attorney friend of mine told me that it is practically impossible for an assistant DA to make a capital murder charge go away without the knowledge of the DA, who in this case, is none other than Fred Thompson of Clay County. Had this case actually made it to court my buddy Judge John E. Rochester would have presided over the case. Wonder if Thompson was in on the deal?

$5 million the price of 'justice' in Coosa County

Frank Teel


There is more this morning on Assistant Coosa County DA Frank Selman Teel attempting to extort $5 million in exchange for rigging the grand jury to not return a capital murder indictment against Mr. Carl Weaver in the 1995 double murder and attempted murder in Coosa County.

Court records: Assistant D.A. wanted $5 million to prevent murder indictment

Here's my guess.

Weaver, they guy who the Gadsden lawyer and DA (Teel) (in the county next to me), were trying to extort money from, was the owner of the 1,000 marijuana plants found at the scene of the two murders and one attempted murder and likely employed the six men to stand guard over the crop. Firestone, after he was beaten and almost burned to death didn't come off this information to police....saving it for later use as leverage or maybe he was scared and didn't want to implicate himself in the grow-op. So, maybe Firestone tries to extort money from Weaver with the threat that he would tell everything, implicating Weaver as the guy who ordered the hits/owned the marijuana.

Weaver refuses and hires this attorney, Stover, who plays along nicely, apparently. Obviously DA Teel and lawyer Frank Bailey already knew everything from Firestone. So, one of them came up with the idea to sell a Grand Jury indictment verdict...meaning that no indictment would be handed down by the grand jury in Coosa County against Weaver if he coughed up $5 million.

Two things....1) I've often said "You can have as much justice as you can afford" and this is confirmation of that and 2) If this really is over 1,000 marijuana plants, which according to overblown police estimates would be worth $2 million on the streets, then it backs up what I always say on here and other places....it isn't the marijuana that kills people.....it's the lucrative cash to be made from black market, which wouldn't even exist if people would wise up and legalize it for adult use. There would be no more incentive for corruption like this....at least where marijuana is concerned. But, DA's and Judges and cops don't want it legalized for that very reason. They like those kinds of incentives.

For those of you not familiar with the Coosa County injustice system let me lay it out for you. The Teel's have something like a monarchy over it. There was an old man Robert (Bobby) Teel who was on the bench (municipal?) in 2000. I don't know if he is still alive or not. When he left the bench his son, I believe, Carlton took over the judgeship and Frank Teel, who is the assistant DA, is the brother of old man Teel and probably the uncle of Carlton Teel. Christ...it's like incest! The old Judge Teel put me in jail for not having car insurance right after that law was passed in 2000.

Another interesting thing is that if this case had gotten to court in Coosa Co. then none other than Judge John E. Rochester would have presided over it. And, y'all know there is no love lost between myself and the Rochester clan. Wouldn't be surprised if he wound up being in on it somehow....oh man that would make my day.

And just where do you suppose Teel was going to get his $1 million dollar check cashed? Cash Advance? Pay Day Loans? First National Bank of Rockford (or whatever bank might be there)?

I find it hard to believe he was really that stupid. Arrogance is more likely the culprit. If my family controlled the entire judicial system in one county then I'd probably feel invincible, too.

When the Drug War Comes Home to Roost

My sister-in-law was sentenced today in Judge John Rochester's court in Ashland. I was halfway there when my transmission went haywire and did not make it to the sentencing. My brother did though.

He called me a few minutes ago and said that she was sentenced to 5 years but that the sentence was suspended so that she will go to treatment for six months and then be on probation afterwards.

You know, it's amazing. Ever since Judge Rochester's son was caught trafficking drugs at the Ashland City Park he has done a 180 on every drug defendant I know who has come before him. This is the fourth person that I know personally who was up on serious drug charges who got the same sentence. Treatment and 5 years probation. One of those was a trafficking charge where the defendant was on tape selling to an undercover officer. And he was black to boot! It wasn't the first offense for any of them. In two of the cases the defendant had a record close to a mile long, so to speak.

It's really funny how quickly a hanging judge will change his fucking tune when the laws he has so religiously enforced for years and years come back to bite him in the ass after it is discovered that his own son is nothing more than a common drug trafficker. No better or worse than the hundreds of poor Clay County people he has sentenced to be tortured in an Alabama prison cell over the years.

What I'd really like to know is if he actually fully understands the folly of the drug war now that it has come home to roost or if he is just putting on airs so that he doesn't look like a hypocrite?

John Alexander Rochester Case Update

The Clay Times Journal has the list of the most recent grand jury indictments printed in today's paper. And take a wild guess whose name isn't among the indicted?
John Alexander Rochester.

The following indictments were issued during the last session of the Clay County Grand Jury. Please bear in mind all subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty by trial or until they enter a guilty plea or enter into a plea bargain with the court system.

Indictments are listed with person's name, followed by charges on which he/she is indicted.

John Kyle Taft, unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance; possession, selling, procuring controlled substances; possession of a controlled substance; possession of drug paraphernalia, attempting to elude police;

Michael Edwin Bassett, possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence;

Kimberly Gaither, Bennett, improper lane usage; driving under the influence (any); possession of a controlled substance;
Beniah Bradford, possession of a controlled substance;

Jeremy Earl Thomas Brown, possession of a forged instrument, fraudulent use of credit, possession of a forged instrument;

Laura Lee Champion, unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance, trafficking methamphetamine; (This lady was arrested near the same time that John Alexander Rochester was and her bond was $50,000. Rochester's was $20,000 for the same charge)

Jeremy Wayne Duke, possession of a forged instrument (four counts);

Albert Marion Edmonson, failure to register as sex offender;

Thomas Jeremiah Gillum, use and possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana 1st, speeding;

Obrier Edwards Hall, possession of a controlled substance, driving while license revoked;

Jamie Suzanne Isabell, alcohol possession in vehicle, use and possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana 2nd, possession of a controlled substance;

Tammy Terrell Jones, possession of a controlled substance (two counts), attempting to elude police, speeding and reckless driving;

James Michael Mitchell, felony DUI (two counts), driving while license revoked (two counts), driving on wrong side of road;

Gregory Wayne Moncus, trafficking methamphetamine.

Matthew Brian Morgan, alcohol possession in vehicle;

Matthew Brian Smith, possession of a controlled substance;

Michael Heath Conway Pate, unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance, trafficking methamphetamine;

Henry Matthew Phillips, unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance, trafficking methamphetamine;

Ronald Charles Ran, use/possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance;

Clifton Eugene Shaddix, unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance, trafficking methamphetamine;

Phillip Smith, failure to register as a sex offender;

Robert Smith, distribution and sale of drugs, possession of marijuana 2nd;

Benjamin Lamar Street, public intoxication, possession of a controlled substance;

Willie Joe Simmons, sexual abuse 1st (two counts); sodomy 1st degree;

Jeremy William Alford, use/possession of a controlled substance, possession and receiving a controlled substance;

Scott Grady Pulliam, theft of property 2nd, burglary 3rd degree;

Tristan McClennon Trimm, theft of property 1st (two counts);

Johnny Wade Stevens, breaking and entering a vehicle, theft of property 2nd (three counts on each of these charges), obstructing justice;

Russell Davis, burglary 3rd degree and theft of property 1st.

Cases brought by Lineville Police Department were published separately in an earlier edition.

Hmmm.....wonder who that could be??

Looking at my traffic stats today I came across someone searching for my children...which immediately sent up red flags, as it would for any mom.

8 Referring URL: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=alex nall&btnG=Google S
Sep 3, 2008 09:53:46 AM 204.29.75.130

9 Referring URL: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=active&rlz=1T4DMUS_e
Sep 3, 2008 09:50:56 AM 204.29.75.130

So, I did a search on the IP address which is

204.29.75.130

And guess what I found?

NetName: ALALINC-NET
IP Address 204.29.75.130
UNITED STATES ALABAMA ASHLAND 33.2143
-85.8209 36251 -06:00
Net Speed ISP Domain
- ALABAMA SUPERCOMPUTER NETWORK AL.US

Now, I wonder who in Ashland, AL with access to the Alabama Super Computer Network would be searching for my kids? Who could that be?

John Alexander Rochester Case Update

I've learned from my sources that the Clay County Grand Jury will meet Monday, August 25 and will be presented with the John Alexander Rochester drug trafficking case. I won't be able to make it for the handing down of the indictments, but, if everything goes as planned there will be at least one reporter there, on my tip, to get the information out to the public. I'll also be monitoring the Clay Times Journal to see if they will set politics aside and step up and fulfil the role of an actual newspaper.

Will update everyone when I know more.

More from the Rochester Peanut Gallery

I love rattling folks cages....especially when the folks in question are powerful judges or attorney generals. Judging from the responses the Rochester Peanut gallery is leaving on this blog and my other blog I'd say I've rattled them so hard their teeth are about to fall out. Here is the latest comment from the Alabama Court Watch Blog....peanut gallery in bold/italics and mine follow.


Just to let you know- so you don't have to take credit for anything. I believe that I told you that George and the DA would be stepping down.

Nonsense. Prove that you told me or my readers that. I remember a comment on my other blog where some anonymous person (perhaps it was you) said Judge Simpson DID step down and DID NOT handle the bond hearing. Which was a lie. I have the paperwork to prove it. The DA didn't step aside til things started getting a little hot and not until after I began talking about it on the radio.

Believe me it had nothing to do with your letter writing and calling campaign- that's really not an effective way of handling things anymore.

Sure, sure. Except that most people are smart enough to figure out that if the Judge and D.A. were going to do the right thing and step aside then they would have done it at the beginning and never handled the bond hearing. That they didn't do it until after I started talking about this case tells everyone reading this blog and following this story all they need to know about what happened and why.

As to whether or not calling and writing is an effective way to handle things this day and time....well it was obviously effective for this purpose because it got you scurrying around like a rat trying to cover your ass.


Especially when it comes from a mentally unstable, druggie, that complains about everything and everybody.

Now that's about the pot calling the kettle black ain't it? I admit an affinity for weed and make no bones about it. I also advocate for changes in the drug laws that, if implemented, would have prevented John Alexander Rochester from being arrested in the first place. If that makes me a 'druggie' then what does trafficking meth, trafficking cocaine, pills and marijuana make John Alexander Rochester? And you for supporting his free ride through the legal system?

Mentally unstable? How so? I'm obviously mentally stable enough to bust your ass for tinkering with my justice system.

Complains about everything and everybody? Oh, you mean since I am not a Democrat or Republican and go after both instead of towing a party line that I complain about everybody? You'd be right about that. You are all fair game in my book and at least I am consistent.

Oh yeah, personal attacks (mentally unstable druggie) only show everyone that you have no real argument or defense for your actions.

It's hard to take you serious anymore. It's like the little boy that cried wolf. You've cried wolf too many times. Most people around the state think you're a joke.

Where and when have I cried wolf before and not been vindicated? Please provide some examples with documentation. Further....there are just over 4 million people in this state...your statement implies that you have talked to ALL OF THEM and that, in your opinion, they think I am a joke. We all know that cannot be true. If you want people to believe you then you have to post things that remotely resemble HONEST.


Alex's trial is coming up. A new judge will take over. Alex will plead to something, hopefully he will serve no time to 5 years because this is his first offense. He's been in rehab for 6 months now with limited privileges and drug tested weekly.

It is my understanding that this is not his first offense. And, it must be really nice to spend six months in treatment when you are charged with drug trafficking. It is unheard of in anyone elses case that they are granted bonds as low as John Alexander Rochester was for the same offenses. Ahhh the elite and priviliged. Must be nice. You should tell JAR to enjoy the comforts of treatment while he can....prison won't be nearly as posh and gentle.

Judge Rochester will be retiring in a year to two years- so don't think you're running him off.

Good. One less corrupt, holier-than-thou, asshole on the bench. Not that I have much faith that his replacement will be any better. Further...Judge Rochester might want to consider moving that retirement date up a bit....else he will leave the bench with some nasty black smudges on his record.

Be sure to read the comments on yesterday's post. The last 5 are really good.