Elderly AL man pleads guilty in tenant's death

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

NORTHPORT, Ala. - An elderly western Alabama man has pleaded guilty in the death of a former tenant, and will spend nearly 15 years on probation.

The Tuscaloosa News reports 81-year-old Matthew Barnes pleaded guilty to manslaughter last week in the death of 41-year-old Dawn Brewer.

Authorities have said Barnes was in the process of evicting Brewer when she threatened to kill him. According to court records, Barnes shot at Brewer after she threw a hammer at him in April of 2011. He spent a week in jail after his arrest.

Barnes has been ordered to serve 14 years and five months on probation and submit to random drug screening. He's also prohibited from consuming alcohol or owning firearms.