Police apprehend Selma man accused of two shootings

By Katie Nichols (Contact) | Selma Times-Journal

Published Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Police received a welcomed surprise on their doorstep Tuesday evening.

Michael Dewayne Morton, 21, turned himself in to authorities at 5:30 p.m. Officers obtained warrants for two counts of assault in the first-degree.

“Michael Morton and one of the victims had an argument and that is when the shooting occurred,” Sgt. Tory Neely said. “Morton shot one victim multiple times and then an innocent bystander was hit as well.”

Neely said both victims were taken to the Vaughan Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Room, but the details of their condition are unknown.

Authorities believe the second victim was not a target in the shooting, but was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.

The shooting took place at 6 p.m. Monday in Chanticleer Apartments on Woodrow Avenue where the suspect lives.

“The suspect fled on foot after the shooting,” Neely said. “Michael Morton was identified by both victims and a witness.”

Authorities said he has not said anything to them about the shooting.

Police charged Morton with two class-b felonies. If convicted of one of the charges, then he could face two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000.

The Code of Alabama defines assault in the first degree as “intent to cause serious physical injury to another person, he causes serious physical injury to any person by means of a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument,” “intent to disfigure another person seriously and permanently, or to destroy, amputate or disable permanently a member or organ of his body, he causes such an injury to any person” or “under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, he recklessly engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to another person, and thereby causes serious physical injury to any person,”

After being processed in the Selma City Jail, officers took Morton to the Dallas Count Jail and held him under two $150,000 bonds and a probation hold. Authorities did not know what Morton had previously been convicted of.

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