FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
August 9, 2016
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
AG STRANGE ANNOUNCES THAT COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
UPHOLDS LOWNDES COUNTY MURDER CONVICTION
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange announced that the
Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals Friday upheld the murder conviction of Randall
Timothy Downs. Downs, 54, of Letohachee, was convicted in Lowndes County Circuit
Court in October of 2015 of the murder of Gerardo Viera.
Evidence was presented at trial showing on the afternoon of May 6, 2014, Downs
was standing on the porch of his former girlfriend, who arrived in a vehicle with the
victim, Viera. After Viera indicated he would be back later that evening, Downs drew a
knife and fatally stabbed him in the abdomen.
The case was prosecuted at trial by Lowndes County District Attorney Charlotte
Tesmer’s office. Downs was sentenced to 50 years’ imprisonment for his murder
conviction. He subsequently sought to have his conviction reversed on appeal.
The Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Section handled the case during the
appeals process, arguing for the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals to affirm the
conviction. The Court did so in a decision issued on Friday, August 5.
Attorney General Strange commended Assistant Attorney General John Porter
of the Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Section for his successful work in this case.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
