FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
January 8, 2018
Steve Marshall
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL ANNOUNCES INDICTMENT AND
ARREST OF COLBERT COUNTY ATTORNEY BILLY UNDERWOOD
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the indictment* and
arrest of Colbert County attorney William J. (“Billy”) Underwood for bribery of a
juror. Underwood surrendered at the Colbert County Sheriff’s Office this afternoon
and was released on bail pending the resolution of this case.
The Attorney General’s Office sought an indictment of Underwood after an
investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The Attorney General’s
Criminal Trials Division presented evidence to a Colbert County grand jury
resulting in his indictment* on January 8.
The indictment charges Underwood with offering, conferring or agreeing to confer
any pecuniary benefit upon a juror with the intent that the juror’s vote, opinion,
decision or other action as a juror will thereby be corruptly influenced in Colbert
County. Bribery of a juror is a class C felony.
“Our jury system is the cornerstone to the justice system in our country. My office
will always work diligently to ensure that our citizens can be confident that justice
will prevail when they go into a courtroom in our state,” said Attorney General
Marshall. “Any possible violation of the laws applying to the sanctity of the jury
system must always be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent under the
law. Whether the alleged offender is an attorney or not, such illegal activity will not
be tolerated in our state. Our litigants should never question whether they will be
treated fairly when they enter our county courthouses.”
No further information about the investigation or the alleged crime in this case may
be released at this time. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information
is urged to contact the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (Russellville Field Office)
at (256) 436-1344.
*An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov
