Trial date information for William "Jody" Byrd

Hi everyone. We apologize for the delay in providing this information to you, but here's the information we can share as of now:

William Jody Byrd was orignally scheduled to stand trial for the 1999 murder of his wife, Desta Dodson Byrd, on February 27, 2012. His defense attorney, William "Bill" Dawson, filed a motion for a continuance, and that motion was granted by Judge Jack Meigs. 

As of now, barring any further continuances, Byrd is scheduled to stand trial for capital murder on June 11, 2012. And although he was orginally denied bond, it was later granted by Judge Meigs and Byrd remains free at this time.

He will face the death penalty, if convicted.

Press Release from Bibb County District Attorney's Office 6/23/11

On Monday June 21, 2011 a special grand jury was convened in Bibb County, Alabama. The case against William Jody Byrd was presented. The grand jury returned an indictment against Byrd for one count of Capital Murder for the murder of his wife Desta Byrd. The murder of Desta Byrd occurred on February 25, 1999 at the couple’s home in Brierfield Estates. Byrd is being held in the Bibb County Jail without bond.

Press Release from Bibb County District Attorney's Office 5/28/11

PRESS RELEASE

On May 27, 2011 officers with the Alabama Bureau of Investigations, The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, and the District Attorney’s office for the 4th Judicial Circuit arrested William Jody Byrd for the February 1999 murder of his wife, Desta Byrd. Byrd was taken in to custody at his place of employment without incident and booked in to the Bibb County Jail on Capital Murder charges, and he is being held without bond.

Assistant District Attorney Jim Ransom: “We’re glad that we were able to finally make an arrest in this case. It’s been a long time coming. We want to give Desta’s family some closure, and we want the person responsible to be held accountable.”