Judge Rules Self-Defense In Shooting Death Of 4-Year-Old Girl

BIRMINGHAM, AL - A highly-publicized shooting death last year involving a 4-year-old girl has been ruled an act of self-defense by a local judge. Charges were dropped Tuesday against 34-year-old Darrell Montez Hutton after a judge ruled he fired in self-defense at the car the child was inside.

A report by Alabama Media Group said Hutton was charged with murder and first-degree assault for a July 2017 shooting that left 4-year-old Taleayah Stafford dead, and 68-year-old Shirley Jackson Hollonquest wounded. Hutton faced a Stand Your Ground hearing Monday.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Virginia Vinson issued an order Tuesday morning dismissing the charges. She wrote in her order, "Without question the defendant found himself in a position where he was in imminent fear of his life and was justified... to defend himself."

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The shooting happened July 9 last year in Birmingham's Kingston community. Authorities said Anthony Fowler and Taleayah's father were on the scene, while the little girl was inside their car. Police said Fowler exited the vehicle and pulled a gun, when gunfire erupted between him and Hutton. The little girl was struck in the head by a bullet fragment and died three days later at Children's of Alabama.

Hollonquest was hit in the neck by a stray bullet. She died of an unrelated cause on Jan. 3, 2018, court records state.

Photo by Renee Schiavone/Patch

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