An Alabama man has admitted to killing his wife while holding her and their children hostage in their Fultondale home.
Kenneth Nathaniel Sanders, 34, was accused of capital murder in the 2023 shooting death of his wife, Jessica “Bonnie” Brown, a 32-year-old mother of five.
The killing of Brown in front of their children elevated the charge to a capital felony.
Sanders appeared before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Stephen Wallace on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to a reduced murder charge.
Sanders received a life sentence in exchange for his guilty plea.
The nightmare began about 12:45 p.m. on April 15, 2023, when authorities got a call reporting a domestic incident at the couple’s Enclave residence.
The couple’s children, ages 12 to 5, were at home during the disagreement, and one of them went to a neighbor’s house, where 911 was called.
When an officer arrived at the home, Fultondale Police Chief Marcel Walker stated that Brown answered the door.
“Her husband snatched her back inside,” Walker explained at the time.
Moments later, the officer heard gunshots and was forced to retreat until backup arrived.
A five-hour standoff occurred. The standoff ended when police shot tear gas inside the house.
According to authorities, the youngsters were unharmed and were removed from the scene by family members.
Sanders was awaiting trial on a domestic violence/strangulation charge with Brown as the victim when the fatal gunshot occurred.
Sanders has serious mental disorders, according to Jefferson County Chief Deputy District Attorney Joe Roberts, who prosecuted the case alongside Deputy District Attorney Tiffany Ould.
Prior to the case’s resolution, Sanders’ defense attorneys, Mike Blalock and Tommy McFarland, sought to have the judge prohibit the death penalty due to Sanders’ “severe mental illness.”
Prosecutors met with the victim’s family and chose to settle the case rather than risk a no-guilt result at trial due to mental disorder or defect.
“This defendant deserves to serve his time at the Department of Corrections not receiving treatment at Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility,” Roberts said. “Jessica’s family and the Fultondale Police Department are satisfied, under the circumstances, that the defendant admitted his guilt and will serve a long sentence in the Department of Corrections.”
