Jury Selection Concludes Ahead Of Trial For Man Accused Of Killing TPD Investigator

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Jury selection in the capital murder trial of Luther Bernard Watkins Jr., the man accused in the 2019 shooting death of a Tuscaloosa Police officer, concluded Friday in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court after five days.

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Prospective jurors were present in the courtroom every day this week except Tuesday, when attorneys for both the prosecution and defense reviewed written questionnaires submitted by potential jurors. This was then followed by in-person questioning.

At the start of the week, approximately 70 prospective jurors were called for service, prompting Circuit Court Judge Brad Almond to restrict access to the courtroom during the process due to limited space. This will be Judge Almond's last case on the bench after he retired in December 2025.

The demographic makeup of the seated jury remains unknown at this time.

As Patch previously reported, 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 TPD Investigator Dornell Cousette while the officer was attempting to serve an arrest warrant.

Prosecutors allege Watkins intended to kill Cousette when he shot him in the doorway of a west Tuscaloosa residence in September 2019. ⁠

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.

The defense also says Cousette acted improperly in serving the warrant without backup and against orders from his supervisor.

Opening arguments in the case are now expected to begin Monday, Feb. 9.

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