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  • James Randall Bailey is seen during sentencing in this file photo from Nov. 20, 2002. Now 32, Bailey was denied parole at a recent hearing. Amanda Shavers-Davis

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February 14, 2012

Man convicted of killing child, woman in ‘01 crash denied parole

James Randall Bailey must serve at least 5 more years in state prison

By Trent Moore The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — A Cullman man convicted on two counts of manslaughter from a 2001 crash that killed a young boy and 21-year-old woman has been denied parole and must serve at least five more years in state prison.

James Randall Bailey, now 32, was found guilty in a November 2002 trial and has served 10 years of his three-lifetime sentence.

Bailey was charged with the death of Kaleb Mewbourn, 11, and April Melinda Glover, 21, in a Sept. 29, 2001 car accident on U.S. Highway 278 in Berlin. According to testimony from his trial, Bailey and Glover were traveling in a sedan driven by Bailey, when the vehicle ran a stop sign and collided with a truck driven by Bobby Mewbourn, who was traveling with his son Kaleb. Authorities later learned Bailey had drugs and alcohol in his system at the time.

Eleven-year-old Kaleb died at the scene, and Glover passed away from internal injuries shortly after being transported to Cullman Regional Medical Center.

Bailey had his first parole hearing on Feb. 8 in Montgomery. Upon vocal protests from local authorities, and the families affected by the crash, it was denied for at least five years.

“The maximum parole can be denied is five years, and they did five years,” Cullman County District Attorney Wilson Blaylock said. “We’re very pleased.”

Sonya Mewbourn, mother of the late Kaleb, said she and her husband used the first hearing as a learning experience, as it probably won’t be the last one they attend.

“For Bobby and I both, from the day we got the letter with the parole date on it, all of it was so stressful leading up to the hearing, almost like reliving the trial,” she said. “We think it’s great that he got five years, which was the max they could give him, but then again it’s a crying shame that its only been 10 years. I understand that’s the law, but each and every time we’ll be here to fight for Kaleb our son.”

Despite the decade that has passed, Sonya said she still remembers every day that followed that fateful night in September 2001.

“On the 19th of this month, he would be 22 years old,” she said. “It’s still raw, it still hurts and we miss him immensely. By the grace of God we’ve made it 10 years. I just want to thank everyone involved … and all the people who took time to write their impact letters to the parole board on behalf of Kaleb. We’ll do it again in five years.”

Mike Glover, who made the trip to the parole hearing in honor of his late daughter April, said he appreciated the support and kindness of the local Cullman authorities who were present.

“I’ve never seen Cullman officials be more professional,” he said. “The sheriff’s office sent a nice deputy for their place, and he was well-prepared. [District attorney] Wilson Blaylock came with a good speech, and every official treated us with utmost courtesy. They did a really good job and made us feel comfortable.”



* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.

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