Teenager accused in Ladevine Crutcher's death appears in court

ATHENS, Alabama (WAFF) – A teenager accused of shooting a man in Athens last weekend made his first court appearance Thursday.

Because he is a minor, police have not released his name, but as an adult he is charged with capital crimes.

He was arrested Saturday after police were called to the Fifth Avenue Apartments for a shooting. When they arrived at the scene, they found 33-year-old Ladevine Adre Crutcher dead in the courtyard of the complex.

Witnesses said there was a fight leading up to the shooting. There is video evidence of the fight and the shooting.

His defense attorneys said they only learned of the capital charges Wednesday evening.

“You know, we're still scratching our heads about that. I think that's the question we're all asking,” Nick Heatherly said.

“We have a lot of feelings about this,” said Marcus Helstowski. “We've had a lot of open conversations about it. Our client maintains his innocence. Frankly, there's a lot of information and a lot of evidence that I believe will come to light.”

They say there are still unanswered questions.

“We are investigating where the weapons came from. That is one thing that people don't know right now,” Helstowski said.

WAFF is the only news station in the courthouse, and the teen's attorneys and family members tell us that when all is said and done, he will be viewed as a hero, not a murderer.

“You saw the kind of support our client received,” Helstowski said. “And I think you'll see that kind of support throughout the criminal case.”

His preliminary hearing will take place on September 23.

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