Donald Broadnax
Death Row Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Birmingham, Alabama
TIME PERIOD
1977-1996
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Broadnax drove to a remote area in Talladega County, Alabama, where he fatally shot his wife's grandson, DeAngelo Marquez Stamps, before disposing of the child's body in a nearby wooded area. This incident occurred on April 25, 1996, while Broadnax was on work release from prison. He was apprehended shortly after the murders, leading to his conviction for capital murder in 1997, for which he received the death penalty. Significant evidence included eyewitness accounts, forensic analysis linking Broadnax to the crime scene, and the recovery of the murder weapon. Broadnax is currently incarcerated at Holman Correctional Facility, awaiting execution.
Donald Broadnax is believed to have committed multiple murders after being released from prison, including the murder of his wife and her grandson, which has led to speculation about his violent tendencies and the effectiveness of parole systems. Some theorize that his connections to local drug dealers may have contributed to his criminal behavior, suggesting a potential influence of organized crime on his actions. Additionally, there are discussions about whether his initial conviction and lengthy sentence could have prevented further violence had he not been granted parole.
The Dark Journey of Donald Broadnax
Early Life and First Murder
Donald Broadnax, born on January 1, 1961, in Birmingham, Alabama, seemed destined for a life of infamy. His path to notoriety began in August 1977 when, at just 16 years old, he engaged in a deadly confrontation with his friend, 19-year-old Gregory Manson, in the Elyton Village public housing community. The argument escalated with horrifying speed. Broadnax produced a gun and fired six shots, leaving Manson bleeding on the ground. But the violence didn't end there. Broadnax reloaded his weapon and fired three more shots into Manson's body before finally fleeing the scene.
It took the authorities three months to apprehend Broadnax. He was charged with first-degree murder, but in 1978, a jury convicted him of second-degree murder, sentencing him to 99 years in prison with the possibility of parole after serving several years.
Parole and Subsequent Imprisonments
Broadnax's story took a surprising turn in 1986 when he was paroled and returned to Birmingham. His freedom was short-lived. Within two years, he was living in a house owned by Raymond "Godfather" Mims, a notorious local drug dealer. A police raid on the property led to Broadnax's arrest and the seizure of several firearms, a clear violation of his parole. This breach ensured his return to prison.
Yet, by November 1992, Broadnax had managed to secure a spot in a work release program. Transferred to the Work Release Center in Alexander City, he found employment as a painter at Wellborn Forest Products, where his demeanor was described as mild-mannered and pleasant.
The Double Murder
Circa January 1994, Broadnax married Hector Jan Stamps, a 42-year-old woman from Sylacauga who frequently visited him in prison. On April 25 of that year, Broadnax was permitted to leave the prison for his factory job. That day, his wife visited him, accompanied by her 4-year-old grandson, DeAngelo Marquez Stamps. In a chilling sequence of events, Broadnax beat Hector to death with a plank, placed her body in the trunk of his Dodge Aries, and drove away with DeAngelo still in the car.
He then drove to a secluded area of Elyton Village, where he brutally ended the young boy's life. After concealing DeAngelo's body in the trunk alongside his grandmother, Broadnax abandoned the vehicle in front of a vacant house. Returning to the Work Release Center, he attempted to conceal his bloodied clothing, but his efforts were in vain. Fellow inmates discovered his hidden uniform and reported it to the guards. This discovery swiftly led to Broadnax's detention, and he was charged with two counts of capital murder.
The double homicide brought intense scrutiny to the work release program, particularly regarding the inclusion of inmates with violent pasts. In response, Wendell Mitchell, leader of the Alabama Senate, proposed a bill to eliminate parole eligibility for certain felons, although he doubted its chances of passing.
Trial and Conviction
Once transferred to a state prison, Broadnax awaited trial with William Brower appointed as his defense attorney. During the trial, Detective Vincent Cunningham recounted Broadnax's claim that Hector had visited him to bring food, and after a brief conversation, she left with his warning to avoid picking up hitchhikers. This account was starkly contradicted by Johnny Baker, another inmate, who testified to seeing Broadnax driving with DeAngelo but without Hector.
Prosecutors bolstered their case with witness testimonies about a suspicious car seen near Elyton Village around the time of DeAngelo's murder and a bloodied earring found behind the factory, purportedly belonging to Hector. They posited that Broadnax was frustrated with Hector's perceived failure to aid in his parole efforts.
The defense countered by arguing that others could have accessed Broadnax's clothing at the Work Release Center and questioning the plausibility of the timeline from the factory to Elyton Village. Despite these efforts, on June 6, 1997, the jury found Broadnax guilty on all charges, recommending the death penalty. The verdict brought relief to the victims' families, while Broadnax and his own family were left in tears.
Appeals and Current Status
In September 1997, Broadnax was formally sentenced to death. His initial appeal to the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals resulted in a 5-0 decision for a resentencing hearing due to incorrect jury instructions regarding mitigating circumstances. Nevertheless, the Court of Appeals upheld his death sentence in December 2000, along with three other inmates' sentences.
Broadnax's attempts to overturn his sentence continued, including claims of ineffective counsel, but these appeals were consistently rejected, most recently in December 2012. In June 2013, the Supreme Court declined to review his case. As of January 2025, Donald Broadnax remains on death row at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama, awaiting execution.
Sources
For further details, you can consult the complete article on Wikipedia: Donald Broadnax.
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First Murder Committed
Donald Broadnax fatally shoots his friend Gregory Manson during an argument.
Convicted of Murder
Broadnax is convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison.
Released on Work Release
Broadnax is released on work release after serving part of his sentence.
Double Murder Committed
Broadnax murders his wife and her grandson while on work release.
Arrested for Murders
Broadnax is arrested after being linked to the double murder.
Found Guilty
Broadnax is found guilty of two counts of capital murder.
Sentenced to Death
Broadnax is officially sentenced to death for the murders.
Death Sentence Upheld
The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals upholds Broadnax's death sentence.
Final Appeal Denied
The Supreme Court denies another review of Broadnax's case.
Broadnax drove to a remote area in Talladega County, Alabama, where he fatally shot his wife's grandson, DeAngelo Marquez Stamps, before disposing of the child's body in a nearby wooded area. This incident occurred on April 25, 1996, while Broadnax was on work release from prison. He was apprehended shortly after the murders, leading to his conviction for capital murder in 1997, for which he received the death penalty. Significant evidence included eyewitness accounts, forensic analysis linking Broadnax to the crime scene, and the recovery of the murder weapon. Broadnax is currently incarcerated at Holman Correctional Facility, awaiting execution.
Donald Broadnax is believed to have committed multiple murders after being released from prison, including the murder of his wife and her grandson, which has led to speculation about his violent tendencies and the effectiveness of parole systems. Some theorize that his connections to local drug dealers may have contributed to his criminal behavior, suggesting a potential influence of organized crime on his actions. Additionally, there are discussions about whether his initial conviction and lengthy sentence could have prevented further violence had he not been granted parole.
The Dark Journey of Donald Broadnax
Early Life and First Murder
Donald Broadnax, born on January 1, 1961, in Birmingham, Alabama, seemed destined for a life of infamy. His path to notoriety began in August 1977 when, at just 16 years old, he engaged in a deadly confrontation with his friend, 19-year-old Gregory Manson, in the Elyton Village public housing community. The argument escalated with horrifying speed. Broadnax produced a gun and fired six shots, leaving Manson bleeding on the ground. But the violence didn't end there. Broadnax reloaded his weapon and fired three more shots into Manson's body before finally fleeing the scene.
It took the authorities three months to apprehend Broadnax. He was charged with first-degree murder, but in 1978, a jury convicted him of second-degree murder, sentencing him to 99 years in prison with the possibility of parole after serving several years.
Parole and Subsequent Imprisonments
Broadnax's story took a surprising turn in 1986 when he was paroled and returned to Birmingham. His freedom was short-lived. Within two years, he was living in a house owned by Raymond "Godfather" Mims, a notorious local drug dealer. A police raid on the property led to Broadnax's arrest and the seizure of several firearms, a clear violation of his parole. This breach ensured his return to prison.
Yet, by November 1992, Broadnax had managed to secure a spot in a work release program. Transferred to the Work Release Center in Alexander City, he found employment as a painter at Wellborn Forest Products, where his demeanor was described as mild-mannered and pleasant.
The Double Murder
Circa January 1994, Broadnax married Hector Jan Stamps, a 42-year-old woman from Sylacauga who frequently visited him in prison. On April 25 of that year, Broadnax was permitted to leave the prison for his factory job. That day, his wife visited him, accompanied by her 4-year-old grandson, DeAngelo Marquez Stamps. In a chilling sequence of events, Broadnax beat Hector to death with a plank, placed her body in the trunk of his Dodge Aries, and drove away with DeAngelo still in the car.
He then drove to a secluded area of Elyton Village, where he brutally ended the young boy's life. After concealing DeAngelo's body in the trunk alongside his grandmother, Broadnax abandoned the vehicle in front of a vacant house. Returning to the Work Release Center, he attempted to conceal his bloodied clothing, but his efforts were in vain. Fellow inmates discovered his hidden uniform and reported it to the guards. This discovery swiftly led to Broadnax's detention, and he was charged with two counts of capital murder.
The double homicide brought intense scrutiny to the work release program, particularly regarding the inclusion of inmates with violent pasts. In response, Wendell Mitchell, leader of the Alabama Senate, proposed a bill to eliminate parole eligibility for certain felons, although he doubted its chances of passing.
Trial and Conviction
Once transferred to a state prison, Broadnax awaited trial with William Brower appointed as his defense attorney. During the trial, Detective Vincent Cunningham recounted Broadnax's claim that Hector had visited him to bring food, and after a brief conversation, she left with his warning to avoid picking up hitchhikers. This account was starkly contradicted by Johnny Baker, another inmate, who testified to seeing Broadnax driving with DeAngelo but without Hector.
Prosecutors bolstered their case with witness testimonies about a suspicious car seen near Elyton Village around the time of DeAngelo's murder and a bloodied earring found behind the factory, purportedly belonging to Hector. They posited that Broadnax was frustrated with Hector's perceived failure to aid in his parole efforts.
The defense countered by arguing that others could have accessed Broadnax's clothing at the Work Release Center and questioning the plausibility of the timeline from the factory to Elyton Village. Despite these efforts, on June 6, 1997, the jury found Broadnax guilty on all charges, recommending the death penalty. The verdict brought relief to the victims' families, while Broadnax and his own family were left in tears.
Appeals and Current Status
In September 1997, Broadnax was formally sentenced to death. His initial appeal to the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals resulted in a 5-0 decision for a resentencing hearing due to incorrect jury instructions regarding mitigating circumstances. Nevertheless, the Court of Appeals upheld his death sentence in December 2000, along with three other inmates' sentences.
Broadnax's attempts to overturn his sentence continued, including claims of ineffective counsel, but these appeals were consistently rejected, most recently in December 2012. In June 2013, the Supreme Court declined to review his case. As of January 2025, Donald Broadnax remains on death row at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama, awaiting execution.
Sources
For further details, you can consult the complete article on Wikipedia: Donald Broadnax.
No Recent News
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No Evidence Submitted
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Join the discussion
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First Murder Committed
Donald Broadnax fatally shoots his friend Gregory Manson during an argument.
Convicted of Murder
Broadnax is convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison.
Released on Work Release
Broadnax is released on work release after serving part of his sentence.
Double Murder Committed
Broadnax murders his wife and her grandson while on work release.
Arrested for Murders
Broadnax is arrested after being linked to the double murder.
Found Guilty
Broadnax is found guilty of two counts of capital murder.
Sentenced to Death
Broadnax is officially sentenced to death for the murders.
Death Sentence Upheld
The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals upholds Broadnax's death sentence.
Final Appeal Denied
The Supreme Court denies another review of Broadnax's case.