Alabama judge: No bond for suspects in Sweet 16 shooting
A judge on Wednesday ordered the three adult suspects to be jailed without bond as they await trial on murder charges in connection with a deadly shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party that killed four in Alabama. District Judge Clayton Turner ordered Wilson LaMar Hill Jr., 20, of Auburn; Johnny Letron Brown, 20, of Tuskegee; and Willie George Brown Jr., 19, also of Auburn, to be held without bond. Court records were not immediately available for the three juvenile defendants in the case. The six are each charged with four counts of reckless murder in connection with the April 15 shooting in Dadeville that killed four and injured 32 people. During a Tuesday bond hearing, a state investigator described a bloody and chaotic crime scene in the aftermath of the shooting. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Special Agent Jess Thornton testified that 89 bullet casings were found and there was “blood everywhere” at the dance studio that hosted a teen’s Sweet 16 birthday party. Two Dadeville High School seniors, Phil Dowdell, 18, and Shaunkivia Nicole “KeKe” Smith, 17, were killed. Also killed were Marsiah Emmanuel “Siah” Collins, 19, and Corbin Holston, 23. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Clayton Turner: Millennials and Young Republicans
Who can make a real, positive, opportunity-driven change for our future? As Chief of Staff for the Young Republican National Federation I have had the opportunity to meet and hear concerns from Millennials across the country. With the 2016 Election just a year away, and the Presidential election quickly approaching with many other races on the ballot, the question on everyone’s mind is this: Who can make a real, positive, opportunity-driven change for our future? According to Pew Research, “Millennials are more burdened by financial hardships than previous generations, BUT they’re optimistic about the future.” Further, “Millennials are the first in the modern era to have higher levels of student loan debt, poverty and unemployment, and lower levels of wealth and personal income than their two immediate predecessor generations had at the same age.” Lastly, “Half of both Millennial and Generation X members doubt they’ll receive any Social Security benefits.” Ultimately, candidates who speak about opportunity and security, both financial and physical, will flourish. Millennials, and Young Republicans specifically, believe in strong, competent, capable leadership. As we saw in the Kentucky statewide elections just last week where Kentuckians elected two of the youngest statewide officials in the country, Americans are ready for the next generation of ideas and leadership. Whether it is leaders willing to take on the crippling debt and burdensome regulations facing our country, or having real insight and experience with creating jobs, Millennials crave solutions and leadership. Whether it is in the presidential race, or local and state elections, one thing we all agree on is the need for courage to make the tough choices facing our country. Millennials, like all Americans, are tired of the same old people doing the same old thing with no solutions. We are ready for a new generation of solutions from a new generation of leaders willing to stand up and make a difference. We want the future to be bright because our future is now. Alabama native Clayton Turner is the Chief of Staff for the Young Republican National Federation.
Clayton Turner chosen to be Young Republican National Federation Chief of Staff
This past weekend the Young Republican National Federation held their annual conference in Chicago. While there members voted in a new slate of officers to run the organization in the next two years. Dennis Cook from Chicago was elected Chairman and named Alabama’s own Clayton Turner to be his Chief of Staff. Turner announced the appointment via a Facebook post saying, “Grateful to my friend Dennis Cook, newly elected Chairman of the #YRNF, for naming me YRNF’s Chief of Staff at today’s closing board meeting. Look forward to serving with Dennis and his team over the next two years.” Turner’s bio on the website for YR Unite, the group sponsoring a full slate of candidates who run for national positions, describes his years of political experience. According to Turner, “in his role as Chief of Staff, he will help handle the day-to-day processes for the organization and aid members of the Executive Committee in achieving their individual goals. He will have a key role in building the first month foundation for the new leadership by working closely with Chairman Dennis Cook.” Turner has already taken steps to implement the YR Unite “#DAY1 Plan” which they unveiled on Facebook shortly after the election. According to Turner, “The list of ten items includes steps towards creating new clubs, expanding tech-savvy initiatives, and the release of a new Servant Leadership Initiative. These plans reflect the values that the newly elected Executive Committee has promised to use as their guiding principles: Leadership, Development and Relationships. The launch of this list began with the first meeting on August 2nd and should be completed within a week.” Below is the list of officers elected to serve the next two years: Chairman: Dennis Cook Co-Chairman: Chris Carmona Vice-Chairman At-Large: Adam Ellison Secretary: Jason Emert Treasurer: John Doyle Auditor: Rick Veenstra Asst. Secretary: Sarah Spence Asst. Treasurer: Mike Thulen Midwestern Regional Vice Chair: Courtney Ruwe Northeastern Regional Vice Chair: Mike Puskaric Southern Regional Vice Chair: Daniel Ruoss Western Regional Vice Chair: Taylor Strand State Chairman’s Association Chair: Katie Regan
Clayton Turner: Encouraging young conservatives to get involved in Young Republicans
Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, Senate leaders, and Attorney General Luther Strange are just a few of the elected officials who will be on hand to meet young conservatives at the upcoming convention in Birmingham. Why would these influential state leaders come see us? Because we are the future of the nation and the future of the party. Many involved in our organization are already contributing greatly to the state. The Young Republican Federation of Alabama (YRFA) is composed of Republicans, age 18 to 40, from across the state and we are looking for those with a passion for the Republican Party to join as members and leaders. Now is the time, as we come into what is sure to be a key presidential year and right as our state leaders begin to take on a budget crisis and tough policy decisions. We have three goals, support and grow conservative candidates and push for conservative policies. Our functions include networking opportunities and the opportunity to just enjoy time with friends who you share fundamental beliefs and a passion for politics. I encourage all young conservatives to check out our website and consider joining. Our membership is composed of individuals from 11 individual clubs, and include elected officials, political consultants, Montgomery staffers, businessmen and women, young families, college students, and excited individuals from across the state wanting to get more involved in the political process. This is an opportunity for those who are new to the field to build relationships with those who have been around for decades and for seasoned professionals to discover new talent, rediscover the passion of politics, and to develop friendships that go beyond politics. Every two years, the YRFA hosts a convention where we handle the executive business of a large organization all the while hearing from various political leaders from across Alabama. This year, the YRFA Convention will be hosted by the Greater Birmingham Young Republicans (GBYRs) in Birmingham’s new “Uptown!” district with events Friday night at a Birmingham Barons game. Among the highlights of the convention is that the YRFA will be joined by Alabama’s Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard at the Barons’ game. Hubbard will throw out the first pitch for the game, and there will be food, drinks, and seats available for attendees and, of course, a chance to speak to and hear from Hubbard while watching America’s game. On Saturday, events kick off at the Westin with a legislative update from Hubbard and a yet-to-be determined Senate leader. This will be a great opportunity for attendees to hear from the leaders of Alabama’s legislative bodies on happenings within the Legislature and how Young Republicans can be involved and make a difference for our state. The YRFA business portion of the meeting will then commence with the election of new officers, the discussion and adoption of bylaws, platform, and resolutions. Whether members of the YRFA or not, attendees will have a great chance to see the values of the YRFA members solidified into a platform and the discussion about the next two years’ activities and plans. By joining us at this, the ground level, you can shape the direction of our party in the upcoming elections and make a role and a name for yourself. Candidates for Young Republican National Federation (YRNF) positions will also be afforded an opportunity to speak to the membership and discuss their vision for the YRNF. Fellow YRFA member and former officer Darius Foster, the choice of the YR Unite team for political director, will be on hand and will speak to his fellow YRFA members as well. During the luncheon, Attorney General Strange will address attendees on his ongoing work for Alabamians. Strange has repeatedly joined with attorneys general from across the country to fight the Obama overreach into our states so we are excited to welcome him as well. Convention is a great time for new or prospective members to join in for fellowship and an opportunity to meet members from across the state and learn more about individual clubs and the YRFA. Those interested in attending should RSVP on Facebook and contact YRFA Chairman Clayton Turner for more information. Clayton Turner is chairman of the Young Republican Federation of Alabama, a member of the Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee, a Jefferson County Republican Party district chairman and the assistant secretary for the Young Republican National Federation.
