An Alabama woman received a life sentence on Friday for orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot against her child’s father amid a custody battle.
Jaclyn Skuce, aged 43 and a resident of Madison, was found guilty of capital murder for contracting a hitman to eliminate the father of her child, aiming to hinder his ability to gain custody or secure additional visitation rights, as reported by the Morgan County District Attorney’s Office.
The incident unfolded when the Hartselle Police Department was called to conduct a welfare check on July 24, 2020, after Anthony Larry Sheppard missed a court hearing related to the custody case.
Sheppard’s absence prompted his attorney to request law enforcement to visit his home, according to investigators.
Upon reaching the residence, officers encountered a shattered storm door and an open main door.
Inside, they discovered Sheppard had been fatally shot multiple times.
Investigators determined that Skuce hired Logan Delp to kill Sheppard in order to prevent him from gaining custody or further visitation with his child.
Prosecutors said Skuce used social media to hire the hitman, who lived in Hartselle, according to the Hartselle Enquirer. She allegedly offered to pay $30,000.
“There are never any winners in a case like this,” Chief Assistant District Attorney Garrick Vickery said following the verdict.
“This jury was incredibly thorough and took their time to make sure they made the right decision, both for Mr. Sheppard and for the defendant.”
Vickery added, “We are glad that they convicted her for the choice she made to take Mr. Sheppard away from his family.”
Skuce was found guilty of three counts of capital murder: murder for hire, murder of a witness, and murder committed by shooting into an occupied dwelling.
Four other defendants have been charged with capital murder in connection with Sheppard’s death.
Delp was convicted of capital murder in October 2025, the DA’s office said. Another defendant has pleaded guilty, and two others are awaiting trial.
Skuce will be imprisoned without the possibility of parole in the Alabama Department of Corrections.
