Statement from Police Chief on Spraggins murder investigation

Statement from Huntsville Police Chief Mark McMurray at a Jan. 13 news conference related to the death of Courtney Spraggins.

“First, let me say to the family of Ms. Courtney Spraggins how deeply saddened and shocked we are as a community and a police department that this murder has taken place. We extend to you our sincerest condolences and want to assure all of you that this does not represent our police officers or our community of Huntsville. Our commitment to you is for full accountability and that justice will be served.

On Friday, January 7, Huntsville Police officers answered a call to the Weston Ranch Apartments and found the decedent with a gunshot wound. Within minutes, the responding officers determined that Officer David McCoy, and off-duty officer who resides at the apartment complex, was a person of interest.

HPD supervisors were notified, the scene was locked down, and I, as Chief of Police, requested the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) take full investigation responsibilities. NO interviews were conducted of McCoy prior to SBI’s arrival on the scene.

When McCoy was identified as a person of interest in the investigation, I immediately relieved him of his role as police officer. All HPD issued equipment was removed from his possession and he was placed on Administrative Leave pending outcome of the investigation.

Later that same night, SBI agents determined that there was enough evidence to charge David McCoy with Capital Murder. McCoy remains incarcerated with no bond.

On Monday morning, January 10, I rescinded the Administrative Leave and placed him on “Leave without Pay, Unexcused”. David McCoy is no longer a police officer or an employee of the City of Huntsville.
The Alabama Police Officer’s Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) was notified of McCoy’s arrest and termination of employment. APOSTC officials have removed all of his police certification authority and locked his account.

The team of experienced, dedicated professionals, led by the SBI, worked extremely hard to collect and analyze evidence, process the scene, and interview all possible participants in one day’s time in order to successfully charge McCoy with Capital Murder on the same day the crime was committed.

I express my sincerest thanks to ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor and his team of SBI agents for providing this service to the Huntsville Community. I look forward to continuing this relationship with ALEA and SBI in the future.”