List of homicides in 1980

This is a List of homicides in 1980. It includes homicide cases occuring throughout the Birmingham area during the calendar year. Note that not all homicides are ultimately ruled to be murder in courts of law.

Jefferson County

Bessemer

• February 3: Charlie King Jr died at Bessemer Carraway Medical Center from gunshot wounds suffered at 1827 17th Street Bessemer during a dispute with a neighbor over the theft of frozen catfish and raccoon meat. (report)

Birmingham

Birmingham had 88 homicides in 1980. (list)

Hoover

• March 25: The remains of Barbara Lois Smith, 24, last seen at a friend's home Center Point on February 3, were found at a dump site on Sulphur Springs Road near Shades Crest Road in Bluff Park. She was found with several stab wounds to the chest. (report)

Trafford

• April 8: Ernest Eugene Speakman, 40, was one of three family members shot to death at their home. Thomas Earl Hand was arrested and charged with their murders. (report)
• April 8: Eloise Speakman, 36, Ernest's wife, was killed in the same incident.
• April 8: Cleve Speakman, 71, Ernest's father, was killed in the same incident.

Shelby County

• June 27: Gale Heatherly, 32, was found dead outside her home near the intersection of Shelby County Road 32 and Pelham Heights Road in Pelham. Evidence showed she had been raped and beaten to death. Corbit Glen Stallings was convicted of murder. (report)

St Clair County

• February 29: Paul L. Lee, 56, was found shot to death at the Busy Bee Mart convenience store where he worked off of I-59 Exit 148 near Argo. No arrest. (report)

Walker County

• February 26: Connelia Ann Eddy, 18, was found shot to death at the Handy Dandy No. 7 convenience store in Jasper where she worked. No arrest. (report)

References

• Birmingham News reports accessed at the microfilm room of the Birmingham Public Library