Associated Press
May 20, 2009 05:53 pm
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SCOTTSBORO, Ala. (AP) — The Jackson County Commission has voted to shelve a plan for security at the county courthouse, site of a 2006 shooting that wounded two people.
The commission voted 3-1 to rescind a resolution approved in 2006 that called for one entrance to the courthouse, with a metal detector and security personnel at the door.
Commissioner Gaylen Stone, who called for rescinding the plan Monday, said it would keep citizens out of the courthouse and needs to be reworked.
The county attorney was asked to come up with a new resolution.
Security at the courthouse became a major issue after John Christopher Lee of Woodville opened fire after a custody hearing involving his stepdaughter. He was sentenced to two life sentences after being convicted on two counts of attempted murder.
The Alabama Supreme Court in July 1998 called on all counties to have a security plan in place by that October. While all 67 counties have submitted a security plan, Jackson County appears to be the first to rescind one.
“It’s the first instance that I am aware of,” said Keith Camp, a director at the Administrative Office of Courts.
Jackson County Commission Chairman Sadie Bias, who votes only in the event of a tie, has been a supporter of the one-door security plan
“We don’t want to inconvenience anyone, but we do want the people in the courthouse to be safe,” Bias said.
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