UPDATED: Charges upgraded in Gallion home invasion case; Scruggs charged with Capital Murder
UPDATED: Oct. 28, 1:23 p.m.
Charges against Cordarius Scruggs, who was arrested Wednesday, have been upgraded to Capital Murder and Burglary in the First Degree according to District Attorney Greg Griggers. If convicted of capital murder, Scruggs could face the death penalty.
The charges are the latest in a case which started Monday, when Scruggs shot Marengo County resident Jessie Houston in the head during a home invasion and burglary at Houston’s home. Houston was later discovered when her juvenile son returned home from school Monday afternoon
Houston was taken to DCH Regional Medical Center where she later died.
UPDATED: Oct. 26, 6:15 p.m.
Cordarius Demetrius Scruggs, 19, was arrested on three felony counts at 2:03 p.m. today. The counts include Assault in the First Degree, Theft of Property in the First Degree, and Burglary in the First Degree.
On Oct. 24, Marengo County resident Jessie Houston, 49, was discovered by her juvenile son when he arrived home from school around 3:26 p.m. She was found lying on the floor of her home at 17012 Linc Road in Gallion suffering a gunshot wound to the head, and her car was stolen. Houston was transported to DCH Regional Medical Center where she is in critical condition.
A BOLO (be on the lookout) was issued statewide for the stolen vehicle, and it was later recovered on U.S. Hwy 11 North in Livingston near Lake Village Apartments.
A person of interest was identified in the case, and Scruggs was questioned around 9 p.m. and later arrested.
Anyone with any information regarding the case is asked to contact the Marengo County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at (334) 295-2226 as the investigation is ongoing.
Sheriff Richard Bates also thanked the Livingston Police Department, Linden Police Department, Demopolis Police Department, University of West Alabama Police Department, and the 17th Judicial Task Force for assistance.
ORIGINAL STORY:
An arrest has been made in a home invasion case that occurred on Monday in Gallion, Ala.
According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect was taken into custody in Sumter county by the Marengo County Sheriff’s Office and transported back to Marengo County for booking. Calls to the arresting agency have not yet been returned.
WestAlabamaWatchman.com will continue to update this story as details become available.