CULLMAN, Ala. – A Cullman County jury convicted Terry Lelan Turney, 60, of Arab of burglary and violation of a domestic violence protection order following a four-day trial, Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker announced Tuesday, May 12.
The convictions stem from Turney’s role in a 2020 home invasion and fire on County Road 222, according to Crocker. The district attorney’s office said another defendant in the case has been convicted of arson.
The same report listed Turney, then 54, as arrested on second-degree arson, third-degree burglary and violation of a domestic violence protection order. The conviction announced Tuesday was for burglary and violation of a domestic violence protection order.
Crocker said his office will seek an enhanced sentence under Alabama’s habitual offender law.
“Terry Turney is a habitual offender with a history of using violence to target others,” Crocker said. “With this being his third felony conviction, we will request a significant sentence under the habitual offender law.”
Turney will remain in custody until his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for June 17 at 9 a.m. before Circuit Court Judge Chad Floyd. Floyd presided over the trial.
Crocker credited Assistant District Attorneys Tina Burgett and Kerry Baswell, Trial Coordinator Amanda Gosa, the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, Capt. Phillip Harris, multiple deputies and expert witnesses who assisted during the trial.
“I cannot say enough good things about my staff who assisted with this trial,” Crocker said. “Joining me in trial were Assistant District Attorneys Tina Burgett and Kerry Baswell, as well as Trial Coordinator Amanda Gosa. We all worked a lot of long hours on this one. The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office made a solid case for us, and we appreciate Captain Phillip Harris, multiple deputies and the expert witnesses who assisted us at trial.”
Crocker also thanked the jury and the victim in the case.
“The jury in this case was extremely engaged and attentive to the evidence. Their service was valuable and much appreciated,” he said. “I also want to give credit to the victim in this case, who stood strong through a tough trial.”
