CULLMAN, Ala. (WIAT) — The appellate court has upheld a 99-year murder sentence for a man found guilty of killing his stepfather in their home, as announced by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall on Wednesday.
William Thomas Maddux, 35, was convicted last year for the murder of Perry Shoemake, who was fatally shot at his Cullman home on November 12, 2017. According to Marshall, Maddux had gone to the home of his mother and Shoemake while under the influence at the time of the incident.
“Maddux refused to leave, prompting his stepfather to go inside and call 911,” Marshall stated. “Maddux then forced his way into the house and fatally shot his stepfather, who was on the phone with 911 when he was killed.”
Following Shoemake’s death, Maddux sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, leading to over a month-long hospitalization. After his release from the hospital, Maddux surrendered himself to the authorities.
Maddux’s attorneys had previously appealed the decision. However, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction in August.
