A majority on an Alabama state appeals court ordered a new trial today for a former Vincent pastor now serving a life sentence after his 2009 conviction of murdering his wife and on a forgery related charge in Shelby County.
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| Timothy Dane Tillman |
In Tillman's trial, Shelby County prosecutors presented evidence that he led a double life when he killed his wife, serving as pastor of the Vincent Revival Center, and pretending to be a Navy officer while dating a woman on the West Coast who he later married.
Tillman, 47, was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole on the intentional murder conviction, and 10 years for his conviction on possessing a forged instrument, a deposit of a loan solicitation check sent to Janet Tillman three months after she was killed.
Prosecutors contended the two criminal allegations were related and showed a common plan or scheme. But the appeals court majority sided with Tillman, who argued the two cases were not connected and consolidation of the two was improperly prejudicial to the defendant.
Judge Sam Welch wrote the majority opinion, and was joined by Judge Beth Kellum and retired Judge Houston Gorman, who was sitting specially in the case after Judge Michael Joiner recused himself.
Judge Liles Burk wrote a dissenting opinion saying the two cases were properly consolidated by the trial judge. Judge Mary Windom joined the dissent.
Tillman current is held at the Fountain Correctional Center near Atmore.
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