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“The Covington County Court system has been inundated with murder trials for the last few years,” District Attorney Walt Merrell commented regarding the sentencing of Evergreen native Courtney Lee Porter, the third of five people convicted of murder in recent months. Merrell added that in addition to those five convictions, we’ve prosecuted 14 people for murder or manslaughter in the last two or so years.”

Still though, Merrell is optimistic. “We still live in a great community, and we are working hard to send a message to anyone who would make it less than that. This is a great place to have a family, raise kids, and enjoy life. We are not going to let a small group of criminals take that from us.”

To that end, Merrell touted the two life sentences that Circuit Court Judge Lex Short handed down to Porter for his recent convictions for Burglary I and the Murder of Andalusia resident Micah Coon. Merrell, Chief Assistant District Attorney Nikki Stephens and Erin Wilson, a third-year law student with a special license to participate, tried the case against Porter.

Stephens, who was the lead prosecutor on the matter, expressed gratitude for the jury’s verdict, noting that, “It wasn’t an easy case. There were a lot of moving parts and a tremendous amount of evidence to sift through. That jury worked hard to find justice for Micah.”

Stephens added, “Porter had two prior felony convictions, but neither of them were for violent crimes. Even so, we argued vigorously for this heavy sentence because that’s what justice demanded. That’s the debt that needed to be paid.”

Coon was murdered in November of 2020, after a physical altercation in the parking lot of a local gas station. Witnesses testified that Coon bested Tyquise Jenkins in the minor skirmish and then Coon left the scene and went home. Jenkins retreated to his grandmother’s home on Whatley Street, where he rallied help from relatives. Porter was one of whom came to his aid and a group of five went to Micah’s residence on George Street, forcibly entered the home, and murdered him. Micah’s wife and children hid in a bedroom where Micah had barricaded them inside.

Merrell led the State’s effort during the sentencing hearing. Afterwards, he remarked, “Porter is 34. We know that in Alabama, “Life” doesn’t necessarily mean the offender will die in prison, but in this case, Judge Short sentenced Porter to two consecutive life sentences. That means he will have to serve one sentence and then serve the other. I think that if Courtney Porter ever gets out of prison, he will be a very old man. And I hope that sends a message to others. Don’t commit crimes here in Covington County.”   

Stephens commended the Andalusia Police Department, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, and the State Bureau of Investigations for their roles in the case: “The officers at APD, and particularly lead investigator Zak Wallace, Gene Jackson, Tyler Patterson, and Jody Scott went above and beyond to bring Porter and his family of co-defendants to justice. They did a great job and we appreciate their hard work.”