Jury Recommends Life

BAY MINETTE, Ala. (AP) - A Baldwin County jury has recommended
life without parole for a 27-year-old man convicted of capital
murder. Labarron McDonald was accused of gunning down Marlin
Lashane "Bill" Phipps, who was sitting in a sport utility vehicle
in a Foley parking lot.
Circuit Court Judge Charles Partin can override yesterday's
recommendation and sentence McDonald to death when formal
sentencing is held next month.
Prosecutors said McDonald walked up to Phipps, who was 33, as
Phipps sat in his Chevrolet Suburban and shot him with a revolver
four times. The case drew wide notice when star Alabama recruit
Julio Jones testified in the case.
Jones and another witness to the killing said they heard three
quick shots from a handgun, then saw McDonald yank on Phipps'
dreadlocks, point the barrel closer to his head and fire once more.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)