One arrested in Tavern killing

A 39-year old Atmore man was arrested Friday and charged with murder the Aug. 5 death of Kenneth Elbert Harrison, 45, who was attacked in the parking lot of The Tavern of Atmore, located at 5440 Highway 31 in Atmore.

Kendrell Monta Madison, 39, 209 ½ 10th Ave., was arrested about 5:40 a.m. after a traffic stop and charged with murder. He was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton and is being held without bond.

During a bond hearing Sept. 22, District Judge Eric Coale set the zero bond but ordered a pretrial detention hearing for 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, under the Aniah's Law statute.

Atmore police were originally dispatched to The Tavern about 11:50 p.m. on Aug. 5 in reference to a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle as she crossed Highway 31. Police stated they found Hannah Martin, 24, in The Tavern's parking lot near the roadway suffering from severe injuries. She was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where she died.

Harrison, of Silverhill, Ala., was operating the vehicle that struck Martin. Harrison then pulled his vehicle into The Tavern's parking lot where he was apparently attacked.

When officers arrived they found Harrison lying on his stomach unconscious in the parking lot of The Tavern.

Police reported when they rolled Harrison over they discovered that Harrison had severe injuries to his face that disfigured his facial features. Due to the extensive injuries, police said they thought Harrison had been assaulted by one or more people.

Harrison was transported to Atmore Community Hospital and later transported by helicopter to the trauma center at USA Medical Center in Mobile. Court records note that Harrison was pronounced dead on Aug. 9.

Police noted that investigators interviewed several potential witnesses and reviewed videos that included audio recordings. Police stated the assault occurred out of the field of view of the closest positioned security camera but noted the audio recordings became valuable during the investigation.

Police said the investigation revealed Harrison suffered his injuries by being forcefully driven into the pavement and the impact caused the injuries.

Court records state Harrison suffered severe head injuries, multiple facial fractures and a rib fracture.

Police said the assault on Harrison occurred as everyone's attention was on Martin.

"Harrison was not assaulted with a weapon nor was he assaulted by more than one person," Atmore police reported. "Investigators developed a person of interest but continued to seek witnesses and await the results of search warrants that had been obtained during the investigation, which led to the delay in making an arrest."

Police said the lead investigator consulted with Escambia County District Attorney after completing the investigation to determine the appropriate charge.

Court records state Madison used his hands to strike Harrison in the face and then picked Harrison up and slammed him down onto the ground head first.