Montgomery, AL – Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals has upheld the capital murder conviction of Lonterry Orlando Harrison, 23, of Gadsden. Harrison was originally convicted in the Etowah County Circuit Court on October 24, 2022.
The trial evidence revealed that A. J. Huff, the victim, had received a text message about a potential sale of marijuana. Huff drove to the Starnes Park Apartments to complete the transaction. Although initially no one was present, a black Impala soon arrived and parked. Huff left the parking lot but was followed by the Impala. When Huff’s vehicle stopped at an intersection, Harrison approached and fired into the car, fatally wounding Huff. The victim later died from his injuries at a local hospital. At sentencing, Harrison confessed to shooting into Huff’s vehicle as it attempted to flee, resulting in Huff’s death.
Etowah County District Attorney Jody Willoughby successfully prosecuted the case, leading to Harrison’s conviction and a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Harrison subsequently appealed his conviction.
During the appeals process, the Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Division argued for the affirmation of Harrison’s conviction. On August 9, 2024, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals agreed, affirming the conviction.
Attorney General Marshall praised Assistant Attorney General Christopher D. Howell for his effective handling of the case and extended his gratitude to District Attorney Jody Willoughby and his team for their crucial role in securing the conviction.
