For Immediate Release:
September 10, 2025
For press inquiries only, contact:
Amanda Priest (334) 322-5694
William Califf (334) 604-3230
(Montgomery, Ala) – Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals has affirmed the convictions of Shannon Xavier Pearson, 30, of Lisman, Alabama, for murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Pearson was convicted in Choctaw County Circuit Court on June 13, 2024.
Evidence at trial showed that Pearson had a toxic relationship with his parents, Tim and Melony Pearson, who lived in Choctaw County. In January 2021, Pearson and his girlfriend, Melissa Hill, devised a plan to kill his parents. On Jan. 8, 2021, Hill went to the victims’ home, pretending that her car had broken down. At some point, she produced a weapon and shot both victims. Tim Pearson died as a result of his injuries, but Melony Pearson was able to call 911 and identify Shannon Xavier Pearson as the likely perpetrator.
The jury convicted Pearson of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Choctaw County District Attorney Stephen Winters’ office successfully prosecuted the case and obtained guilty verdicts. Pearson was sentenced to life in prison. He later sought to have his convictions overturned on appeal.
The Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Division handled the case during the appeals process, arguing for the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals to uphold Pearson’s convictions. The Court issued its decision Friday, Aug. 15, 2025.
Attorney General Marshall commended Assistant Attorney General Laura Irby Cuthbert for her successful work on the case and thanked District Attorney Stephen Winters and his staff for their valuable assistance in defending the convictions.
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