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December 23, 2009

Arrest made in J.T. Hayes murder case

By Trent Moore The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — After more than a month of investigation, an arrest has been made for the November murder of J.T. “Jimmy” Hayes, 72, of Fairview.

Christopher H. Ledbetter, 37, of Boaz, has been charged for the alleged murder of Hayes.

Ledbetter was Hayes’ son-in-law, and served as a pallbearer at his funeral, according to his published obituary.

Cullman County Sheriff Tyler Roden said some new information came to light Wednesday that led to the arrest.

“There were some things revealed to us that we think were very solid that helped us develop the probable cause,” he said.

Roden declined to reveal any further details on the case — such as possible motive — because the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests could be made.

“Investigators are still actively investigating the case,” he said. “There are still a lot of details we have to put together and a lot of work that has to be done. Ledbetter has been — along with some others — a person of interest in this case.”

Hayes’ body was found Nov. 6 on the floor of his Pearson Street home.

An Alabama Department of Forensics autopsy revealed Hayes died from several blows to his body. No gunshots or stab wounds were found on the victim’s body.

According to sheriff’s reports, a person or persons broke into Hayes’ home the night of the murder and took several items.

Though there are some indications a robbery took place, the sheriff’s office has not confirmed that was the motive for the murder.

Hayes was well-known in the area as the former owner of Rack and Cue pool hall in Cullman.

Ledbetter is currently incarcerated at the Cullman County Detention Center on a $100,000 cash bond.

Hayes’ death marked the second reported murder in Cullman County this year. A third homicide is currently under investigation in Holly Pond.



* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.

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