Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

On March 22, a jury in the Enterprise Division of Coffee County convicted Emmanuel Key on the charge of Murder of Manslaughter for the 2019 killing of Stevie Franklin.

In a press statement by 12th Judicial Circuit District Attorney James Tarbox, it was revealed that the conviction came at the end of a three-day trial presided by Circuit Judge Shannon Clark.

According to the statement, testimony and evidence showed that Key – a 33-year-old Enterprise native – was present at the Daleville Lounge in Enterprise on Dec. 22, 2019, when a group of security guards – which included Franklin – attempted to have a group of individuals removed from the business. During this altercation, a fight broke out and Key allegedly produced a .389 ACP handgun and shot Franklin at close range. Key then fled the scene as Franklin succumbed to his injuries. Key was captured three weeks later by police.

Assistant District Attorney Mary Katherine Head represented the case for the State of Alabama and was assisted by Assistant District Attorney Kylie Foor.

“This case was difficult to try due to the nature of the evidence and as Ms. Head stated during closing arguments, there were several ‘puzzle pieces’ that the jury had to piece together in order to show the full picture of what happened on Dec. 22, 2019,” Tarbox said. “Our office is grateful to the jurors for their service and grateful that they saw the true picture of what happened during this tragic event, that defendant Key senselessly took the life of Stevie Franklin.”

Key, who is a multi-time convicted felon, will be sentenced at a later date and Tarbox said the State will seek “significant punishment for these actions.”