Jimmy O'Neal Spencer, a man with an extensive criminal record spanning several decades, was found guilty of four counts of murder and three counts of capital murder in the 2018 killings of Martha Dell Reliford, Marie Martin-Lee, and her great-grandson, 7-year-old Colton Lee. These crimes occurred on Mulberry Street in Guntersville, Alabama.
Spencer had been paroled eight months before the killings. The women were killed in separate robberies that netted about $600, and the boy was killed because he was a witness. Spencer was sentenced to death on November 18, 2022, after the jury recommended the death penalty for his crimes.
Jimmy Spencer. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Seattle, WA. July 22, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED.
Jimmy O'Neal Spencer is a convicted criminal who was found guilty of multiple charges, including capital murder. Spencer was found guilty of four counts of murder and three counts of capital murder in the 2018 killings of Martha Reliford, Marie Martin, and her great-grandson, 7-year-old Colton Lee. He was sentenced to death on November 18, 2022, after the jury unanimously recommended the death penalty for his crimes. Spencer has an extensive criminal record, with numerous felonies spanning several decades. As of June 2024, there was an oral argument scheduled for his appeal against the State of Alabama.
The circumstances surrounding the murders committed by Jimmy are particularly tragic and disturbing. Spencer used a hatchet to attack Reliford, hitting her multiple times and slitting her throat to ensure she was dead. During a recorded confession, Spencer indicated that he and his girlfriend were dealing with homelessness at the time and that he had to steal to eat. He expressed remorse for his actions and stated, “If I could’ve got the money any other kind of way I would’ve did it.” He also admitted to stealing about $600.
There was significant evidence linking Jimmy to the crime scenes. Jurors heard a police officer recording in which Spencer admitted to the slayings. The evidence detailed how Spencer used a hatchet and a kitchen knife on Martha Reliford, and a dog leash and a hammer on Marie Martin and her great-grandson, Colton Lee. Spencer indicated that he committed the killings to avoid leaving witnesses and to steal money. He first attacked Reliford with a hatchet and then slit her throat with a knife. Days later, he strangled Martin with a dog leash and cut her throat, and he killed the child with a hammer to prevent him from identifying Spencer. The robberies netted about $600 from Reliford and $13 from Martin’s home.
Jimmy had a significant criminal history prior to the 2018 triple homicide case. Spencer first went to prison in the early 1980s and continued to commit crimes both inside and outside of custody over the years. In 1989, after committing a burglary and being sentenced as a habitual offender for his repeat felony convictions, Spencer received his first life-in-prison sentence. He was paroled in November 2017 after serving 28 years of a life sentence for various convictions, including burglary and assault. Evidence presented at trial showed that Spencer did well initially after being released from prison but returned to crime after losing a job.
Jimmy was granted parole on November 2, 2017, after serving 28 years of two life sentences for a variety of convictions, including burglary and assault. Despite having a history of serious property and violent crimes, numerous disciplinary infractions in prison, and several successful escapes from prison, Spencer was still granted parole. Upon release, Spencer was supposed to remain in a homeless shelter in Birmingham for six months. However, he left the shelter after only three weeks. After his release, Spencer had several run-ins with law enforcement, including traffic offenses, possession of drug paraphernalia, attempting to elude police, resisting arrest, and illegal possession of a firearm. Despite these violations, his parole was not revoked.
VIDEO: WAAY 31 News Special Report on Jimmy O’Neal Spencer and the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles | https://youtu.be/3PGU1SLXMCU
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