Published: December 01, 2007 12:32 am            

Arrest made in recent death

By Noah Chandler

nchandler@cullmantimes.com

An arrest was made Friday in connection with a recent death occurring in Hanceville.

Christopher Brett Pennington, 23, of Hanceville was arrested by Sgt. Jimmy Morrow on two separate counts; manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, according Cullman County Sheriff Tyler Roden.

According to the sheriff’s report, on the morning of Nov. 18, Kapali Swamy, 27, of Decatur, and his unidentified female companion, and Pennington were returning from a night out in Birmingham.

Lt. Phillip Lambert said Swamy and the female companion were arguing on the way back to Pennington’s home. Lambert said when they arrived at the residence the arguing escalated and she exited the vehicle and stated she wasn’t going with Swamy.

According to statements made by both the companion and Pennington, Swamy exited the vehicle and began yelling at the woman. Lambert said Swamy pushed her, leading to Pennington stepping between the couple.

According to the sheriff’s incident report, both the woman and Pennington said Swamy pushed him. Pennington returned to his feet and hit Swamy, causing him to collapse.

Lambert said autopsy reports issued Monday Nov. 19 by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences stated Swamy suffered one or two blows to the head.

Pennington is currently being held at the Cullman County Detention Center on a $36,000 property bond.

        

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