Topline: Two former Blount County jailers were indicted on murder and assault charges in the death of inmate Arthur Morse.
Published: July 15, 2026 10:30 am ET
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BLOUNT COUNTY, AL — A grand jury has indicted former corrections officers Joseph Evans, 26, and Liletzy Valdez-Carbajal, 19, on felony murder and second-degree assault charges in the death of inmate Arthur Morse, according to court details published in follow-up coverage of the case.
According to Ground News’ summary of local reporting from Alabama outlets including The Trussville Tribune and AL.com, court documents say Evans and Valdez-Carbajal repeatedly dry-stunned Morse with a Taser on Jan. 25 while he was unable to stand or walk without assistance.
Authorities allege the repeated use of force was intended to cause physical injury. The charges mark a major escalation in a case that has drawn attention because it involves alleged abuse of power inside a county jail and the death of a person in custody.
Morse’s death has become the center of a widening accountability fight over how he was treated while under the jail’s control. The indictment means the case now moves forward as a homicide prosecution against both former officers.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Ex-Alabama Corrections Officers Indicted for Murder After Inmate Repeatedly Tased
Two former Blount County jailers were indicted on murder and assault charges in the death of inmate Arthur Morse.
By Silvia Torres
Published: July 15, 2026 10:30 am ET
BLOUNT COUNTY, AL — A grand jury has indicted former corrections officers Joseph Evans, 26, and Liletzy Valdez-Carbajal, 19, on felony murder and second-degree assault charges in the death of inmate Arthur Morse, according to court details published in follow-up coverage of the case.
According to Ground News’ summary of local reporting from Alabama outlets including The Trussville Tribune and AL.com, court documents say Evans and Valdez-Carbajal repeatedly dry-stunned Morse with a Taser on Jan. 25 while he was unable to stand or walk without assistance.
Authorities allege the repeated use of force was intended to cause physical injury. The charges mark a major escalation in a case that has drawn attention because it involves alleged abuse of power inside a county jail and the death of a person in custody.
Morse’s death has become the center of a widening accountability fight over how he was treated while under the jail’s control. The indictment means the case now moves forward as a homicide prosecution against both former officers.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Ex-Alabama Corrections Officers Indicted for Murder After Inmate Repeatedly Tased
Two former Blount County jailers were indicted on murder and assault charges in the death of inmate Arthur Morse.
By Silvia Torres
Published: July 15, 2026 10:30 am ET
BLOUNT COUNTY, AL — A grand jury has indicted former corrections officers Joseph Evans, 26, and Liletzy Valdez-Carbajal, 19, on felony murder and second-degree assault charges in the death of inmate Arthur Morse, according to court details published in follow-up coverage of the case.
According to Ground News’ summary of local reporting from Alabama outlets including The Trussville Tribune and AL.com, court documents say Evans and Valdez-Carbajal repeatedly dry-stunned Morse with a Taser on Jan. 25 while he was unable to stand or walk without assistance.
Authorities allege the repeated use of force was intended to cause physical injury. The charges mark a major escalation in a case that has drawn attention because it involves alleged abuse of power inside a county jail and the death of a person in custody.
Morse’s death has become the center of a widening accountability fight over how he was treated while under the jail’s control. The indictment means the case now moves forward as a homicide prosecution against both former officers.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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