Montgomery, AL – Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals has affirmed the conviction of Montrel Dwight Austin, 31, of Center Point, for the 2020 murder of Emilio Elliott, Jr. The decision was issued on Friday, June 20, 2025.
Austin was originally convicted in the Jefferson County Circuit Court on May 17, 2024, following a trial stemming from an incident in April 2020. According to court records, Austin had traveled to the Southtown housing project to accompany a friend to a haircut appointment and to purchase drugs from Elliott. Witnesses testified that Austin approached Elliott’s vehicle with a firearm in hand. During the drug transaction, Austin exited the car and began firing at Elliott, ultimately delivering a fatal gunshot wound to the victim’s head.
At trial, Austin argued that he acted in self-defense, claiming Elliott was the first to produce a weapon. However, the jury rejected this claim and found him guilty of murder. Austin was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
After his conviction, Austin filed an appeal seeking to have the verdict overturned. The Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Division represented the State during the appeal, with Assistant Attorney General Anne Adams Hill arguing in favor of upholding the conviction. The appellate court ultimately affirmed the judgment of the trial court.
Attorney General Marshall commended Hill for her work and expressed appreciation to Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr and his team for their efforts in securing and defending the conviction.
