17-year-old indicted on murder, robbery charges

FLORENCE — A 17-year-old has been indicted on charges of felony murder and first-degree robbery in the March 26 death of 13-year-old Ryland Calvert, authorities announced July 22.

Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly said a grand jury returned the two-count indictment on Cameron Leonard Phinizee of Russellville.

Connolly said Phinizee and Calvert had planned to rob someone at Southern Oaks Village apartments, but the person shot and killed Calvert. The shooter was not charged.

“The grand jury was asked to determine two things,” Connolly said. “One, whether the shooter should be criminally charged or whether he was acting in self-defense. Two, is whether a 17-year-old who was with Ryland, who was 13, is legally responsible for Riley’s death.

“The grand jury heard from 17 witnesses over several days. They concluded that the shooter, who was being robbed, acted in selfdefense, so there will be no criminal charges against the shooter.

“As it relates to the 17-year-old, the grand jury found probable cause to believe that he is legally responsible for the death of 13-year-old Ryland Calvert,” said Connolly.

Phinizee is out on a $60,000 bond but must wear an ankle monitor, Connolly said.

He said Phinizee is charged because he was involved in the robbery.

“He is charged with being an accomplice to an armed robbery,” Connolly said. “The actual person attempting the robbery was the 13-year-old child who was put up to that crime by the 17-year-old.

“The 13-year-old child, Ryland Calvert, looked up to Mr. Phinizee. Mr. Phinizee got this child involved in an armed robbery and it cost him his life. Our hearts go out to his family and to his many friends, and we in our office look forward to bring justice to this family and holding Mr. Phinizee accountable for his actions.”

Tuesday was the first time authorities released Phinizee’s name, since he is a juvenile. They were able to release it because the indictment charges him as an adult.

Officials initially released Calvert’s name the day after the shooting. Calvert’s family members have been vocal about being displeased with the case and wanting additional information. They even sat in front of the Lauderdale County Courthouse and the Florence Police Department with signs demanding answers and justice.

“We have met with his parents and other family members,” Connolly said during the July 22 news conference. “We normally would not release the name of that child victim; however, the family authorized us to do that today and they want his story told.”

He commended Florence Police officers and investigators involved in the case.

“They worked hard on this case,” Connolly said. “They worked diligently searching for and seeking the truth of what happened. Last week, we presented that truth to the grand jury and now we will take this forward and get justice for Ryland Calvert.”

Connolly and Police Chief Mike Holt gave statements during the news conference but did not take questions.

Holt said he knows this is and has been a grueling and emotional case.

“First, I want to thank our community for being patient,” he said. “Investigators of this magnitude do take time and they don’t allow us to release every single detail along the way, and this is done for a reason. One of those reasons is to protect the integrity of this investigation. What that means is (to) ensure the crime victims receive justice and that those accused of crimes are afforded due process.”

He said his heart goes out to Calvert’s family, especially his parents.

“I’ve met with them personally as well and I cannot imagine the grief that both are experiencing and that they will continue to experience,” Holt said.

He also thanked his officers and detectives.

“They worked tirelessly for months to establish the facts in this case, and while this case is very emotional and it will continue to be so, police officers must objectively collect and examine evidence to get to the truth,” Holt said. “That’s their job and they did the job well.

“This case received a great deal of social media and public attention. Investigating crimes of this nature can take a significant personal toll on a person, just in and of themselves, but that toll can be further compounded when investigators’ names and at times their professional reputations come in discussion in public discourse. This requires our detectives and police officers to have a high level of integrity and professionalism, and I’m proud to have some of the finest detectives that law enforcement has to offer, professionals whose dedication, skill and integrity set the standard for our field.”

The incident

Officers responded to a report of a deceased juvenile outside Southern Oaks shortly after 4 p.m. on March 26. They located Calvert and established a crime investigation scene.

Sgt. Ryan Kelly said during a news conference the following day that someone came to the police department on March 26 to speak with detectives. He did not identify that person.

“During their investigation it was learned that the deceased and another juvenile planned to rob the other involved party,” Kelly said on March 27.

Police arrested Phinizee at approximately 3 a.m. on March 27.