Dispute leads to murder in McKenzie

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 27, 2003

John Andrews, district attorney for Alabama's Second Judicial Circuit, began his fourth homicide investigation for the month of August on Monday night, involving the death of a McKenzie man.

Following a call to the Butler County Emergency Communica-tions District, deputies of the Butler County Sheriff's Department arrived at a residence, where they found Levy Pettway, a 47-year-old black male, dead from what appeared to be stab wounds.

Sources indicate that the call was received sometime between 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Monday, although no details have been released in the ongoing investigation.

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&uot;When deputies arrived at the residence Pettway shared with his two brothers, located on Alabama Highway 55 in McKenzie, they found Pettway was dead,&uot; Andrews said.

Pettway's two brothers were taken into custody, but as of late Tuesday evening no one has been charged in connection with the death.

&uot;Investigators have narrowed down the time of the alleged stabbing to between 8:35 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday night,&uot; Andrews said. &uot;An autopsy will be performed by the Department of Forensic Sciences in Montgomery on Wednesday. It appears that the alleged stabbing resulted from an argument, but the matter is still under investigation at this time.&uot;

In a statement late Tuesday evening, Sheriff Diane Harris said that two suspects were being held in connection with the case.

&uot;We have just completed interrogations for the day, and are holding Johnny Earl Pettway, 41, and Charles Ray Pettway, 44, both of McKenzie, at the Butler County Jail for further investigation on the charge of murder in the death of their brother, Levy Pettway,&uot; Harris said.

Andrews has asked that anyone who believes they have information regarding this or any other crime contact his office, at 382-7444, or the Butler County Sheriff's Department at 382-7444.