Two indicted on murder charges

By Staff
Nathan Strickland
Four men have been indicted in connection with the murder of a Tharptown man.
A Franklin County grand jury charged the four men during their recent session.
Franklin County Courthouse officials said Bobby Joe Johnson, 75, 5684 Franklin 87, and Bobby Ray Jones, 50, of Alabama 72 in Tuscumbia, have been indicted for the shooting death of 32 year-old Mitch Robbins of Lawrence County.
Robbins was found shot to death outside his residence, which he shared with Johnson, on Aug. 22.
Franklin County Sherriff’s office investigators said ABI assisted in the investigation, which found that drugs and alcohol were involved in an altercation that occurred earlier that day.
Investigators said Johnson provided Jones with a sawed-off shotgun, which was allegedly used to shoot Robbins in the mid-section resulting in his death.
At first, Jones told law enforcement Robbins had committed suicide while he stood just a few feet away. Authorities waited until forensic evidence was tested before pressing charges.
Johnson tried to convince authorities that he wasn’t even at the residence at the time the shooting occurred.
After individuals involved in the case made statements linking Johnson and Jones to the murder, the two men confessed, officials said.
A Franklin County grand jury has also indicted an uncle and nephew during the recent session for providing a false alibi for Johnson.
Franklin County Courthouse officials said J.C. Borden, 55, of Mount Hope, and Johnny Borden, 22, of Haleyville, were indicted on first-degree hindering of prosecution charges for allegedly misleading authorities during the course of the investigation.
Arraignment for the four men is set for Feb. 18.