Ball is held on no bond

Following an Aniah's Law and preliminary hearing Friday in Brewton, Conecuh County District Judge Clint Hyde ruled that murder suspect Tyrek Altarius Ball be held without bond and there was enough evidence to send the case to a grand jury.

Ball, 17, 5713 Foxfire Lane, Mobile, was arrested on Sept. 5 in Mobile by U.S. Marshals and charged with intentional murder for the Aug. 17 shooting death of Aubrey McAllister 'Mackie' Jackson, 35, of Brewton.

Due to Ball's age and a new law passed in Alabama, Ball's records were originally sealed. Escambia County District Judge Eric Coale recused himself and Judge Hyde was appointed to oversee the Aniah's' Law and preliminary hearing Friday, which was closed to the pubic. Records became public after Judge Hyde's ruling.

In his ruling filed with the court, Judge Hyde noted that Jackson was shot and killed and his body was found dumped beside a roadway.

"The defendant and another individual traveled from out of the county to the home of Jackson to complete a drug transaction," Judge Hyde wrote in his ruling. "An argument ensued and the victim was shot twice in the head and once in the arm. The shooting occurred inside a vehicle the defendant (Ball) and an associate used to travel to Escambia County. The body was later found dumped approximately 150 yards from the decedent's home."

Judge Hyde noted in his ruling that Ball was on probation for a robbery I charge and entered a guilty plea to a reduced charge of robbery II earlier this year. Ball was placed on probation and given credit for time served. Judge Hyde noted the Mobile County ruling was in May of this year, about three months from the date of Jackson's death.

"The court considered the nature and circumstances of the offenses charged," Judge Hyde wrote; "the weight of the evidence against the defendant; the history and characteristics of the defendant, including, but not limited to the defendant's character, physical and mental condition, family ties, employment, financial resources, length or residence in the community, community ties, past conduct, history relating to drug or alcohol abuse, criminal history, and record concerning appearance at court proceedings, and whether, at the time of the current offense, the defendant was on probation, parole, or on other release pending trial, sentencing, appeal, or completion of sentence for an offense, and the nature and seriousness of the danger to any person or the community if the defendant is released.

Judge Hyde ruled Ball's bail was denied because the charge against him is intentional murder involving a gun "and the court finds there is sufficient evidence to find probable cause he committed the offense."

In denying bond, Judge Hyde noted that Ball had a history of illegal gun use and violence; he had no connection to Escambia County, noting Ball was from Mobile County.

"The court finds that the release of the defendant would constitute a danger to the community," Judge Hyde wrote. "Not only does the court find the defendant would put the community at risk, the general public would be at risk should any retaliatory violence occur."

Judge Hyde said that he does not have any "reasonable expectation" that Ball will appear for trial should he be release based on the testimony, exhibits and taking judicial notice of the defendant's history in state court."

Judge Hyde concluded that he found probable cause that Ball committed the offense of murder and bound the case over to a grand jury.

Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson said the investigation into Mackie Jackson's death remains under investigation and asks if anyone has information they need to call the sheriff's office at 251-089-2145 or their nearest law enforcement agency.