Tommy Jerry Fortenberry, 39, was executed August 7, 2003 at by lethal injection at Holman Prison in Atmore, Alabama for the August 25, 1984 murders of Ronald Michael Guest, 21; Wilbur T. Nelson, 51; Robert William Payne, 43; and Nancy Payne, 29.
All four victims were shot during the robbery at a gas station in Attalla. Police later found the murder weapon and traced it to a gun repair shop partly owned by Fortenberry's father. During questioning by police, Fortenberry led lawmen to the location where he had disposed of the pistol after the slayings. It was the exact area that police had recovered the weapon. Fortenberry also gave several stories about the murders. He told police he needed money because of a gambling habit and was robbing Nelson at gunpoint when Guest tried to talk him into giving up his weapon and the Paynes drove up to the station. He told police he shot Guest and Payne outside the station, returned inside to shoot Nelson, and then fired what he called a "pot" shot at Nancy Payne, who was trying to run for help. Fortenberry later claimed he was at the station, but another man shot the four victims.
Tommy Jerry Fortenberry, 39, was executed August 7, 2003 at by lethal injection at Holman Prison in Atmore, Alabama for the August 25, 1984 murders of Ronald Michael Guest, 21; Wilbur T. Nelson, 51; Robert William Payne, 43; and Nancy Payne, 29.
All four victims were shot during the robbery at a gas station in Attalla. Police later found the murder weapon and traced it to a gun repair shop partly owned by Fortenberry's father. During questioning by police, Fortenberry led lawmen to the location where he had disposed of the pistol after the slayings. It was the exact area that police had recovered the weapon. Fortenberry also gave several stories about the murders. He told police he needed money because of a gambling habit and was robbing Nelson at gunpoint when Guest tried to talk him into giving up his weapon and the Paynes drove up to the station. He told police he shot Guest and Payne outside the station, returned inside to shoot Nelson, and then fired what he called a "pot" shot at Nancy Payne, who was trying to run for help. Fortenberry later claimed he was at the station, but another man shot the four victims.
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