A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the brutal murders of seven people in Alabama.
John Michael Legg pleaded guilty to multiple counts of capital murder in connection with the 2020 killings, which became known as the “Seven Deadly Sins” murders.
Morgan County Circuit Judge handed down the sentence on Wednesday, December 18, following Legg’s plea hearing. This decision came days after a court declared him mentally competent to stand trial. Legg’s co-conspirator, Frederic Allen Rogers, received a similar sentence earlier this year.
READ: Luigi Mangione To Face New York Arraignment In Cowardly Murder Of UnitedHealthcare CEO, Father Of 2
On June 4, 2020, deputies from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a shooting at a residence on Talacuh Road in Valhermoso Springs. Upon arrival, authorities discovered the gruesome scene: seven deceased victims, some of whom had also been burned in a fire allegedly started by Legg and Rogers to destroy evidence.
The victims were identified as Tammy England Muzzey, James Benford, Jeramy Roberts, Roger Jones, William Hodgin, Emily Payne, and a juvenile female whose name was withheld. Investigators determined that the victims and the perpetrators were connected through a gang called the “Seven Deadly Sins,” and the murders stemmed from a drug dispute and tensions fueled by social media posts.
Following the killings, Legg and Rogers fled the state. Their run came to an end on June 21, 2020, when deputies in Marion County, Oregon, detained the pair during a traffic stop. They were extradited to Alabama on June 28, 2020.
READ: Florida Woman Convicted In Conspiracy To Threaten Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers
In February 2021, a Morgan County grand jury indicted both men on multiple charges of capital murder, including murder during the course of a robbery, a burglary, and an arson, as well as murder involving a single scheme or course of conduct.
The case marked one of the most horrific crimes in Morgan County’s history. District Attorney Scott Anderson pursued capital punishment against both suspects. However, Rogers was convicted earlier this year and sentenced to life without parole, as the jury opted against the death penalty.
Legg’s guilty plea ensured he would also face life behind bars without parole, closing the case without the need for a protracted trial.
Morgan County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Mike Swafford reflected on the case, calling it “the most horrific crime this county has seen on record.” He expressed hope that the resolution could offer some closure to the victims’ families.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.