CannabisHardwick FlooringLast Call SpiritsThe PlantE&J Clean Up LLCCherry & Irwin Personal Injury AttorneysGilley Mill Farms and HatcheryLast Call SpiritsGreg FaulkRay Marler For Henry CountyKennedy Land & TimberCannabisFarm Stores DothanDMGChris MaddoxFlowers HospitalGoldin MetalsMPIDothan LivestockGilley Mill Farms and HatcheryDustin FowlerSolomon ChevMarler Probate JudgeDothan PCDothan Tree ExpertsTri State Parking LotDothan Tree ExpertsKennedy HireCannabisDothan Tree ExpertsCannabis


Goldin Metals

Dale County Murder Preliminary Hearing

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 3510

Posted by: RStokes
Date: Jul 28 2016 3:46 PM

DALE COUNTY:   2:41 PM.  Preliminary hearing of murder case. Lt. Bryan of Ozark Police testified.


June 23, 2015 is the date of the call. The landlord went to check on person and found blood. Ozark Fire and EMS responded. When they found a bullet in the person's head Ozark Policevwere notified.


The landlords could only provide they last saw deceased on Saturday or Sunday. Ozark Police then started fining people who knew the victim. Some were found in Dothan. The niece was brought into Ozark Police along with her live in boyfriend, who is the defendant.


They were located by Sgt. Juneau. He notified them of what happen and that Investigators needed to talk with them. They complied with the request.


At the time of questioning they advised Mr. Yeaple and deceased provided information a fight took place in November 2014. The fight was over the deceased wanting the defendant and his girlfriend to sell narcotics. They said they would not.


In a later interview Yepple and the niece admitted to selling the narcotics but they were not getting the money they thought they should get.


The niece gave permission to the officers to look through her phone. The officers found evidence of narcotics.


The second interview where admission of narcotic sale was July 2015.


On July 8, 2016 in looking at the case Lt. Culbreth recognized a telephone number of one of Culbreths prior Confidential Informants.


That informant was contacted by Ozark Police. He informed Police that Yepple said he was going to kill the victim and later bragged about it.


Police never revealed the weapon used in the murder to the public. The confidential informant said Yepple stole a .22 caliber firearm in Andalusia. 


While on a job site in Andalusia Yepple destroys things in the residence. They had noticed a change in Yepple.


Yepple was a veteran in the military and they wanted to help in.


Yepple tells the people he is working with that he is going to kill someone. The employer gets scared of them.


On the way back to Dothan Yepple is with the Confidential a Informant. Yepple pulls out a bag and shows the CI things he stole to include a firearm.


When Yepple was arrested a pipe with meth residue was found and a pill bottle.


Yepple asked Lt. Culbreth what was the best and worst that he was looking at. He was told that he would have to talk to thevDistrict Attorney Office.


At Ozark Police Chief Walker and Captain Peterman questioned him. Assistant District Attorney David Emory came to Ozark Police. Yepple was told he did not have to speak to him. 


Yepple said he was selling narcotivcs for victim. The victim would not give him what he owed him. Yepple said the victim would harass through electronic solicitation and that he had hit men.


Emory asked what caused Yepple to think he needed to get him. He replied everything. When asked about thevpistol aye pole told Emory he intended to sell the pistol because he needed money. Yepple said he was intoxicated atbthevend of the shooting.


Yepple told Emory he was alone. That he did not intend for this to happen but wanted the threats to stop.


Yepple asked Emory what kind of prison time he was looking at. Emorybsaid he could not answer that. Yepplevthanked Emory for his time.


Yepple asked to speak to his wife. He was told it would be recorded. he apologized.


Yepple's wife told police that he admitted to the killing.


Ozark Police were told by Dale County Jailers that Yepple admitted to the murder and gave basically the same story as he gave Mr. Emory.


Ozark Police have jail phone calls where Yepple told his mother it was self defense and that they would use PTSD.


The Weapon was recovered in Andalusia where Yepple did work. The CI told them where the gun was stolen from.


The homeowners in Andalusia called the man Yepple worked for about the stolen gun. He told him as long as they could get all he belongings back nothing would happen. Yepple said he did not have everything but did have the firearms.


Yepple met his employer at McDonald's in Enterprise where Yepple returned the gun with an agreement the homeowners would not prosecute.


The gun was recovered in Andalusia after the arrest.


Attorney Billy Joe Sheffield represents Yepple on the murder charges. He asked the Ozark Investigator if Yepple had any felony convictions. The officer testified to DUI and misdemeanors offenses in Pennsylvania, to include resisting arrest.


The officer testified to prowling at night, arson, carrying a firearm. The arrests were in 2012. Sheffield asked arrest or convictions and the officer said he could not say.


Yepple was a veteran. Sheffield asked was he a Purple Heart veteran and the officer did not know.


Sheffield asked if anything was stolen. The officers thiught a phone was stolen but last ping was at deceased residence.


In the initial interview they denied any involvement in the murdEr. Sheffield said but a year later a number was recognized as a Confifential a Informant who knew a lot of information. Sheffield asked if the CI had ever notified the police since he knew all that took place.


Sheffield asked if threats were made by police if not allowed to come inside they would take the children. The officer said no.


Sheffield asked why the kids are in DHR custody? The officer said Captain Rafferty called DHR because of the arrest and drugs being found.


The officer the wife and kids were ppossibly present atbthevend of the murder. When Sheffield asked if any officers made threats to the female if she did not cooperate she would be arrested. The officer said none in his presence.


At the time the victim was found he was breathing and transported.


Sheffield asked if Yepple gave an alibi at  first questioning. The officer said Yepple said he was at home. The officers did ask neighbors but nothing Certian.


DNA was obtained in 2015 when Yepple was questioned. The officer said a swab. Sheffield said why did reports reflect a cigarette.


The officer said he asked to smoke. Yepple asked where to put it.


Sheffield asked was DNA taken from multiple people. The officers said yes.


Sheffield pressed the officer in the report did it show blood sample found on deceased did not match Yepple. 


Sheffield said on victims shirt they found blood on Yepple's was excluded. The officer testified he could not testify on the DNA report.


The officer testified they believed items stolen.


Sheffield asked what was found under nails of victim. The officer testified would have to ask Forensic.


Sheffield said in 2015 a altercation. A year later you get Yepple and then all of a sudden he confesses to everybody, but you are saying you never threatened them. The officer said there were no threats.


The officer testified DHR took the children.


The Ozark Police Officer testified they believe the wife was involved. They believe it was intentional murder and not self defense.


The scene is a house where the garage was turned into an apartment. The officer testified the landlord is elderly Heard commotion on Monday.


The victim was last seen on Sunday, the day they believe the murder occured. The victim was last seen at WalMart On Sunday.


The ambulance came on Tuesday. The commotion heard by the homeowners was on Monday.


Sheffield asked about the CI and the officer testified he had prior drug arrests.


Sheffield asked if any MAFIA connections were indicated on the victim from Pennsylvania.


The DNA on the wall is the victim's and a unknown persons DNA according to the officer.


The officer testified they knew the slug was a .22 from the autopsy report. Sheffield asked when the autopsy report was gotten back and the officer testified March 2016. 


Sheffield said from March back to the murder was thevpolicevreportnonnthe stolen pistol known about. The officer testified no.


Judge Garnervsaid he set the bond on a Sunday at the jail on first appearance.


Judge Garner bound the case over to Grand Jury.


Sheffield then asked for a bond reduction. The Alabama Supreme Court set a guideline of $ 75,000 for bond. Sheffield said a year went by and defendant not in any trouble and no felony convictions. Sheffield asked for a reasonable bond, said he is not a flee risk or danger to society. Sheffield said if Yepple is responsible this is more of a self defense.


The District Attorney said this was a intentional murder, told people, stole the gun, and he planned this. The District Attorney feels the bond is right as a $ 200,000 cash.


Sheffield objected and stated bond needed to be reasonable.


Judge Garner lifted the cash restrictions but left the bond at $ 200,000.00 by a bondsman, cash or property bond.


At 3:45 PM the hearing concluded.



Family First Funeral Home

<- back



Tri State Parking LotFerhguson WreckerDMGKennedy HireGilley Mill Farms and HatcheryDothan Tree ExpertsDothan Tree ExpertsMarler for Probate JudgeSolomon ChevChris MaddoxWiregrass ElectricGilley Mill Farms and HatcheryNantze SideDothan Pest ControlLast Call SpiritsFun ZoneGreg FaulkGoldin MetalsCherry & Irwin Personal Injury AttorneysRay Marler For Henry CountyCannabisGoldin MetalsHarley DavidsonFarm Stores DothanDothan Tree Experts