By Associated Press
Florence AL – The families of two Athens police officers shot to death in the line of duty support the plea agreement that allows the killer to avoid a death sentence, but colleagues in the Athens Police Department wanted him to go to trial.
"We're very disappointed, and I think I speak for the entire department on that," Police Chief Wayne Harper said. "We just expected it to go to trial."
District Attorney Kristi Valls announced Thursday that 32-year-old Farron Barksdale, who has a history of mental illness, will be sentenced to life in prison without parole, avoiding a death sentence, after agreeing to plead guilty to capital murder. Barksdale shot and killed Sgt. Larry Russell and officer Tony Mims on Jan. 2, 2004, as the officers responded to his 911 calls to his mother's house.
Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely said the slain officers' families supported the plea deal.
Russell's widow, Michele Russell Lopez, said she knew many believe Barksdale deserved the death penalty.
"But my children deserve a life not filled with courtrooms or appeals," Lopez said. "I hope people understand that."
Jeff Mims, a pastor and brother of Tony Mims, said he appreciates Valls' consideration of the families' wishes.
Linda Mims, Tony Mims' widow, said she understands the Police Department is like a family, but added, "They are on a different side of the fence than us. I hope they can understand why we agreed to this."
Both widows bowed their heads and cried during the 9 a.m. hearing before Circuit Court Judge Bob Baker.
Barksdale's attorney, Robert Tuten, said he met with his client three times this week about the plea. Tuten said Barksdale understood the plea and was "thinking clearly."
He said Barksdale is a paranoid schizophrenic who has abused drugs.
"But did he understand right from wrong is where we ran into a problem," Tuten said.
Friends of the slain Athens police officers are circulating a petition to get the portion of U.S. 72 in the city limits named a memorial highway in their honor.
Harper said while he disagrees with the plea deal, he and officers remain close with the Russell and Mims families.
"I still think the world of every one of them and we love them," he said. "They'll always be special."