New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty In 2018 Fayette County Double Murder

FAYETTE, AL — A Carbon Hill man who is one of five defendants charged in a 2018 double murder in Fayette County has avoided a death sentence by pleading guilty on Friday.

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District Attorney Andy Hamlin said Michael Evan Council received two consecutive life sentences after entering the plea deal in connection to the shooting deaths of 55-year-old Hernan Antonio Padilla and 56-year-old Allen Clifford Sandlin on Fayette County Road 63 in the Studdards Crossroads community.

The two victims were found shot to death at Padilla’s home outside of Carbon Hill on May 1, 2018, with investigators eventually charging Council and four others with capital murder.

“I’m pleased we were able to put a violent offender away for life,” Hamlin said. “The plea was reached after much consultation with the victim’s families. They’ve been through a lot, and I’m glad that we were able to resolve this case. I look forward to getting the remaining co-defendants’ cases to court soon.”

Hamlin then said cases are still pending against Lorazo Moran of New Jersey, Lindettia Lynette Lowery of Fairfield, Brandon Dewayne Lowery and Brittany Bell-Spates.

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