List of homicides in 2010

This is a List of homicides in 2010, including homicide cases reported throughout the Birmingham District. A total of 8 homicides have been reported in the area for the year, as of February 8, 2010. Note that a "homicide" refers to the cause of death as determined by a medical examiner, not to the crime of murder as charged by prosecutors and determined by plea or trial.

Calhoun County

1. January 24: Dariontae Brooks, 22, died from a gunshot to the head in an Anniston apartment. No arrest. (story)

Etowah County

1. January 18: Nita Gay Denson, 63, was found dead from blunt force trauma in the bedroom of her Gadsden home. Her son, Justin Denson, was arrested on I-55 near Memphis, Tennessee after using one of her credit cards. He was charged with capital murder. (report)

Jefferson County

6 homicides as of February 8:

Birmingham

3 homicides as of February 8: See List of Birmingham homicides in 2010 for details.

Bessemer

1. January 10: Marquis White, 32, was shot at the wheel of his car and crashed into a convenience store on the 800 block of Hall Avenue. No arrest. (story)

Gardendale

1. January 20: The body of Chase Alexander Woods, 17, was found near an abandoned strip mine off Pumpkin Center Cut-Off in Quinton (Walker County). Because authorities believe his death was caused at a residence in Gardendale, the investigation was conducted by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Dustin Blake Legrande has been charged with murder. (story)

Lipscomb

1. January 31: Fernando B. Pruitt, 30, was stabbed to death in a fight with his girlfriend at his home at 509 Patton Court. Pruitt was taken to UAB West and then to UAB Hospital before he was pronounced dead. Cherell Monique Averhart, who was 5-months pregnant at the time, was charged with murder. (story)