(DOTHAN, Ala.) In the 1997 murder of Vernon Stuart North, Christopher Conrad was charged with Robbery 1st degree in connection with the crime. In 2014, Conrad, after being arrested for an unrelated forgery crime, made incriminating statements admitting to taking part in the robbery that ended with North being murdered. Conrad was ultimately convicted and sent to prison for the Robbery. Today, Conrad is being charged with the murder of North in connection with the crime.
Since Conrad had only been charged with Robbery in connection with North’s death, the case remained open, and investigators continued to follow leads in hopes of identifying the killer. As with all open murder cases, this case was reviewed to determine if new forensic testing and new police technologies applied. Also, a fresh perspective regarding the evidence, including interviews performed in 1997 as well as 2014, was given to the overall evaluation of the case. Every murder case is also discussed with the District Attorney’s Office for agreement prior to moving forward toward an arrest.
While reviewing the interviews conducted with Conrad in 2014 when he was arrested, investigators believe, based on statements he made about the crime, there is enough evidence to prove Conrad is legally culpable for Vernon North’s death. These statements included specific details of the crime that could only be known to a person intimately involved in the crime. Conrad admitted to taking part in the robbery of North which ultimately ended in North’s death.
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