Mother addresses son’s accused killer in Russell County Courtroom

PHENIX CITY, Ala. (WRBL) — The mother of a man shot and killed at a Phenix City apartment complex faced the suspect accused of taking her son’s life during a court hearing Monday morning.

Jamarie Leonard is charged with murder and aggravated assault in the Sept. 29 shooting that killed 33-year-old LeNorris Boyd Jr. at Brookwood Apartments near the Chattahoochee Valley Community College campus.

Boyd’s mother, Tabitha Russell, sat in the Russell County courtroom during Leonard’s Aniah’s Law hearing — an emotional moment she described as “horrible” and “a disgrace.”

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Russell said her son’s death has deeply affected family, friends, and the community.

“It has affected many people — not just my family,” Russell said. “He wasn’t just my baby. He’s everybody’s baby,” she said.

Police say the shooting began after an argument between two women escalated, involving their significant others.

Leonard allegedly used an AR-style rifle to shoot Boyd and Boyd’s fiancée, Tishera Wilson.

“Two females were arguing. Evidently, this spilled over into the significant others getting involved,” said Phenix City Police Capt. Skip Lassiter. “At some point, Mr. Boyd was shot.”

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Boyd worked as a foreman for a home foundation repair company and was engaged at the time of his death.

Leonard, meanwhile, had pleaded guilty just a week earlier to first-degree and assault charges and was out on bond awaiting sentencing.

Russell County District Attorney Rick Chancey said bond decisions can be complex.

“That’s a fine line to walk — which ones you leave out on bond and which ones you revoke,” Chancey said.

Russell criticized the justice system for allowing Leonard to be free before the shooting.

“When a person has no regard for human life, I don’t even understand why they have the option to be let back out on the street,” she said. “There are some people the devil has a handle on — and I don’t think he should ever see the light of day.”

Police say multiple witnesses were at the scene, including two children who told investigators they saw Leonard speaking to Boyd after the shooting. Leonard remains in the Russell County Jail without bond.