Judge Blocks Access To Media, Public As Jury Selection Begins In Trial Of Slain TPD Investigator

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Jury selection began Monday morning ahead of the capital murder trial of Luther Bernard Watkins Jr., the man accused of killing Tuscaloosa Police Department Investigator Dornell Cousette in 2019.

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Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court Judge Brad Almond is presiding over his last trial after previously retiring and has restricted access to the media and public during the jury selection phase of the trial at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse.

The decision to keep the courtroom doors shut during jury selection is a rare move, especially with regards to such a high-profile case and comes after years of delays and pre-trial motions. ⁠

Tuscaloosa County NAACP President Lisa Young was one of the members of the public turned away when trying to attend as a spectator and took issue with the lack of access — a sentiment also expressed to Patch by the defendant's family.

"Today, I arrived at the courthouse to observe the jury selection process in the trial of Luther Watkins," she told Patch. "Upon arrival, I was informed that the courtroom had been closed during voir dire and that members of the public would not be permitted to enter. While I respect the authority of the court and understand that jury selection is a formal and sensitive part of the judicial process, I am deeply disappointed that the public has been excluded from observing this crucial stage of the trial."

Young expressed a need for transparency in the judicial system and went on to say public access to court proceedings reinforces accountability and strengthens community confidence in the fairness of the process.

"The exclusion of the public from jury selection raises serious concerns about openness during a pivotal moment in the administration of justice," she said. "I was informed that I could return on Wednesday once the jury selection process has concluded, and I intend to do so. Our community deserves a justice system that is not only fair, but visibly fair."

Court officials also informed members of the local media Monday morning that the courtroom was at near-capacity as jury selection kicked off and would likely be open to the media and spectators by Wednesday at the earliest.

Watkins has been held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail since shortly after the fatal shooting more than six years ago and is accused of shooting Cousette while the investigator was attempting to serve an arrest warrant.

As Patch previously reported, prosecutors allege Watkins intended to kill Cousette when he shot him in the doorway of a west Tuscaloosa residence in September 2019. ⁠

Both sides had also recently argued over what evidence jurors will hear, including social media posts made by Watkins on the eve of Cousette's death.

Defense attorneys have repeatedly insisted that Watkins, who was also shot during the exchange of gunfire, acted in self-defense, claiming the investigator was off duty and acted improperly in serving the warrant without backup.

Jury selection is expected to continue throughout the day Monday and on into Tuesday until the large pool of prospective jurors is whittled down.

This is a developing story. Tuscaloosa Patch will have more information as it becomes available.