Pickens County Man Gets Life Sentence For 2021 Murder And Shooting

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A Pickens County man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally shooting a man and wounding three others in 2021.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

District Attorney Andy Hamlin, who represents the 24th Judicial District, said Wednesday that Jeremy Lynn Colvin, 31, was sentenced earlier in the day for the death of Venson Lamont Barnes, 21.

Judge Sam Junkin also handed down three life sentences for the attempted murder of three men who he shot inside a residence on Seventh Street Northeast on May 30, 2021.

Junkin ordered the sentences to be served consecutively.

Hamlin said officers responded to the home just after 2 a.m. that morning, where they found Barnes unresponsive in the kitchen. Officers then found the remaining victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

The survivors each identified Colvin as the shooter and a jury found him guilty of all charges following a trial in February.

Hamlin then said that during the sentencing hearing, prosecutors proved that Colvin had previously been convicted of three prior felonies and had been charged with additional unrelated felony offenses while incarcerated.

He also said statements from the victims and their families were also entered into evidence.

“The sentences handed down today ensure that Jeremy Colvin will spend the rest of his life in prison, unable to harm anyone else,” Hamlin said. “While no punishment can bring back Venson Barnes or undo the harm caused to the survivors, this sentence holds the defendant fully accountable for his senseless and violent actions. I hope it brings some measure of healing to the victims and their families, who have shown incredible strength throughout the investigation and trial.”

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.