Aliceville, AL — In a significant legal proceeding last week, Jeremy Lynn Colvin, 31, was found guilty by a Pickens County jury of murder and multiple other charges stemming from a violent incident in Aliceville in 2021.
The serious charges laid against Colvin included one count of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and possession of a firearm by a felon. These felony charges relate back to a pre-dawn shooting that tragically took the life of 21-year-old Venson Lamont Barnes and injured three others. The violent episode unfolded in a home on Seventh Street Northeast on May 30, 2021.
According to the District Attorney Andy Hamlin, who oversees several counties in West Alabama, the week-long trial culminated on Friday with the jury siding with the prosecution’s portrayal of the events. A sentencing hearing for Colvin has been scheduled for April 2.
At the trial, evidence presented suggested that Barnes was found unresponsive in the kitchen of the residence, while the three surviving victims suffered gunshot injuries in the same incident. Hamlin, together with his Chief Assistant District Attorney Jack Nolen, presented the case, which was presided over by Judge Sam Junkin.
In reflections on the case, Hamlin stated, “The jury’s verdict represents justice for Venson Barnes and his loved ones, who have shown tremendous strength throughout this difficult process. I am grateful to the survivors who came forward to testify, helping ensure that the person responsible for this senseless violence is held accountable.”
Hamlin also extended his gratitude toward the collaborative efforts of local and regional law enforcement that played a pivotal role in securing the conviction. Among those credited were the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, and the Aliceville, Reform, and Gordo police departments. Their cooperative efforts were instrumental, along with the contributions from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and the Tuscaloosa Police Department’s Forensic Services Division.
Throughout the trial and the investigation leading up to it, the legal proceedings drew considerable attention from the community, reflecting the gravity of the crimes and the community’s quest for justice.
Hamlin concluded his remarks by thanking the jury, acknowledging their role in the community’s judicial process, “Finally, I want to thank the jury for their careful attention to the evidence and their service to our community.”
The conclusion of this trial marks a poignant moment for the involved families and the Aliceville community, as they continue to heal and seek solace following the resolution of this tragic case. As the awaited sentencing approaches, many are hopeful that it will bring finality to this painful chapter.