Board denies parole for Barlow brothers

Shannon Dean Barlow and his brother Franklin Lee Barlow, Jr., will at least spend the next five years behind bars after the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles denied the two convicted murderers parole Wednesday morning.

Shannon Barlow and Franklin Barlow both pleaded guilty in October, 1993, for the murder of their stepmother Kathy Victory Hall Barlow and their 12-year old stepsister Angel Marie Hall. The two were sentenced to consecutive life sentences with the possibility of parole.

A third suspect, Albert Gaynoe 'Rocky' Beasley, pleaded not guilty but was convicted of capital murder by an Escambia County (Ala) jury and was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

Shannon Barlow, who was 14 at the time of the murders, testified at Beasley's trial and told the jury he (Shannon Barlow) shot Kathy Barlow in the head with a .410-gauge shotgun when she answered the door at her home. He then went into Angel Hall's bedroom, shot her and stabbed her to death.

Forensic testimony also noted that Angel Hall had been raped.

The Barlow brothers then loaded the bodies into the trunk of a car and took them to Bluff Springs and buried them in shallow graves. Testimony also noted the three urinated on the graves before leaving.

The three were arrested the following day when they arrived back at at the Barlow house.

Escambia County District Attorney said he wrote letters to the parole board in opposition of the Barlow brothers being released.

"This is one of the most horrific crimes ever committed in Escambia County," Billy said. "The two have never shown any remorse and they both deserve to die in prison."

Billy said he was pleased with the parole board's decision and said he will continue to fight to keep the two behind bars as long as he lives.