The American Civil Liberties Union is taking note of a WAAY 31 I-Team investigation into Alabama expungement laws. Our investigation revealed Huntsville capital murder charges against Demorris Lauderdale will stay on his record forever, despite the state dropping the charges.
ACLU Executive Director Randall Marshall had this to say about the state law:
Previous Stories
- I-Team: Alabama lawmakers take notice of state expungement law after Huntsville murder case
- I-Team: Huntsville capital murder charge will remain on man's record after being dropped
- Defense speaks out after Huntsville capital murder charges dropped
- Motion to dismiss filed in Huntsville murder case after surveillance images released
"Alabama's expungement law is patently unfair. In Alabama, this arrest will stick with him for life despite the fact that there is proof that he was wrongly arrested. The legislature should address this problem."
Huntsville police, as well as Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, are unable to comment on the case at this time, because it is an ongoing investigation. Police say Lauderdale's arrest was based on probable cause evidence that they cannot release at this time.
State lawmakers say they are doing their homework on the flawed state rule. House of Representatives member, Andrew Sorrell, asked the Legislative Service Agency to do research on the law.
