The Sinister Tale of Alvin Andrew Kelly

Prologue to a Crime Spree

Alvin Andrew Kelly, born on March 14, 1951, in Culberson County, Texas, would become a name etched in infamy across East Texas. Known also by the alias Doyle Gilbreath, Kelly's life spiraled into a series of brutal crimes between April and June of 1984. The sinister narrative unfolded in Longview and Lake Cherokee, Texas, where Kelly, then a debt collector for a drug trafficker named Walter "WW" Shannon, embarked on a murderous path. His victims included two reserve marshals, their infant son, and later, Kelly's own roommate. Kelly's reign of terror culminated in his conviction and eventual execution for the murder of the infant in 2008 at the age of 57.

The Triple Murder: A Family's Nightmare

The chilling sequence began with Jerry Glenn Morgan, aged 30, and his 25-year-old wife, Brenda. As reserve marshals in Longview, the Morgans had attracted the dangerous attention of Kelly, who believed they were leaking information about Shannon's illegal dealings. Late in April 1984, Kelly, accompanied by his brother Steven and a 27-year-old drug dealer named Ronnie Lee Wilson, descended upon the Morgans' mobile home. Steven stayed outside while Kelly and Wilson entered, leading to a violent confrontation with Jerry Morgan. Kelly attacked Jerry with a gun, asserting his lethal control over the situation. However, the altercation halted as Steven, peering through a window, was ordered back to the car.

The horror resumed on April 30, when Kelly returned to the Morgans' trailer with his wife Cynthia and Wilson. Kelly instructed Cynthia to remain in the car while he and Wilson entered. Inside, Kelly ruthlessly shot Jerry Morgan in the bedroom. The gunfire drew Cynthia inside, where she witnessed Kelly holding Brenda against the wall as their 22-month-old son, Devin, cried. In a bid to calm Devin, Kelly shot Brenda in the neck, moved her to the bedroom beside her deceased husband, and then murdered the infant in cold blood. Subsequently, he shot Brenda again, ensuring her death. Together with Wilson, Kelly looted the home before leaving. The crime was later exposed when a relative, unable to contact the Morgans, discovered the gruesome scene and alerted the authorities.

The Murder of John Ford: A Grisly Discovery

On June 9, 1984, the decomposing body of John Eugene Ford, 32, was found face-up in the shrubbery near Lake Cherokee. His identity was confirmed through fingerprints after the body was sent to a Dallas forensics lab. Ford, a Jefferson resident, had been shot multiple times with a small-caliber pistol. Investigators quickly connected his murder to a burned 1974 Ford Ranchero found in Longview a week prior, which belonged to Ford's father. Suspicion fell on Kelly when it emerged he had received treatment for gasoline burns, allegedly from a carburetor explosion, at the Hart Clinic in Gladewater. Despite an outstanding arrest warrant for drug charges, Kelly was only a person of interest due to the lack of concrete evidence.

Investigation and the Breakthrough

The investigation into these heinous crimes stretched over six years, during which Kelly served time for various minor offenses. In March 1990, a significant breakthrough occurred. A rusted handgun, purchased by Ford weeks before his death, was found, propelling authorities to charge Kelly with murder. He pleaded guilty, resulting in a 35-year sentence served concurrently with a 25-year sentence for sexually assaulting two teenage inmates while awaiting trial.

The investigation took a pivotal turn when, five months post-conviction, Cynthia, now divorced from Kelly, came forward. She confessed her presence at the Morgans' murder scene and agreed to testify against Kelly, implicating Wilson as well. As a result, both men faced charges, and the Gregg County District Attorney, David Brabham, announced intentions to seek the death penalty. Initially suspected of connections to the unsolved Kentucky Fried Chicken murders, these were eventually deemed unrelated.

The Trial: Justice for the Morgans

As the trial commenced, Kelly's defense faced a multitude of challenges. His attorney, Harry Heard, sought funding to cover trial expenses and tried to suppress Cynthia's testimony, citing spousal privilege. These motions were denied, and the jury selection proceeded. Witnesses, including Cynthia, her sister Violet Brownfield, and Kelly's brother, delivered damning testimonies. Despite Heard's attempts to discredit Cynthia, the prosecution established her credibility by highlighting details only she could know.

After a brief 73-minute deliberation, the jury found Kelly guilty of murdering Devin Morgan. He showed no emotion as the verdict was read, and later, after just 30 minutes of deliberation, the jury sentenced him to death.

Execution: The Final Chapter

Throughout his time on death row, Kelly maintained claims of innocence, filing numerous appeals, all ultimately unsuccessful. His execution was set for October 14, 2008. On that day, Kelly, professing newfound Christian faith, issued a lengthy apology to the victims' families, admitting guilt in Ford's murder but denying involvement in the Morgans'. As the lethal injection was administered at the Huntsville Unit, he spent his final moments singing a hymn to Jesus Christ, meeting his end serenely. Kelly was laid to rest at Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery.

Sources

• Wikipedia