Russell pleads guilty to murder

By Staff
Jason Houston FCT Managing Editor
That was Patricia Williams' response to the news that her son Shay Ford's accused killer, James Phillip Russell, pleaded guilty to murder Wednesday and agreed to a 25-year prison sentence.
The plea by the 46-year-old Russell brought a conclusion to a case that began with gunshots in October of 2002 in Isbell. Russell was accused of going to the residence of his son-in-law, Ford, and shooting him numerous times with a 9 mm handgun. Investigators found 20 shell casings at the scene of the shooting.
Russell was indicted on murder charges by a grand jury in January of 2004. Russell's case had been set for trial beginning next Monday before the plea agreement was reached late Tuesday. Russell faced a possible sentence of life in prison if he had been convicted of murder by a jury. He has been free on bond since January of 2003.
Rushing said the case was delayed due to a 14-month wait for autopsy results.
According to Rushing, Russell was emotionless during the plea process, but did turn around to the victim's family and say, "I'm sorry."
Rushing said the agreement by Russell and his attorney Jeff Bowling to plead guilty to a murder charge rather than a lesser charge was a key to the agreement.
Williams said she has been told Russell would have to serve 18 years and nine months before he would be eligible for parole.
Williams said she did not wish to go through the emotions a trial would have brought up.
According to sheriff's department investigators, the shooting stemmed from a domestic problem. Ford's wife Christie told law enforcement officers that Russell came to their home the night of the shooting and asked to speak to Ford outside. Before the two got outside, Russell allegedly produced a weapon and began shooting Ford. Christie Ford and the couple's young son were both in the home at the time of the shooting.