HUNTSVILLE WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO REDSTONE ARSENAL MURDER

HUNTSVILLE, AL – VALORIE KIEL COX, 35, of Huntsville, Alabama pleaded guilty to murder today in United States District Court before Judge C. Lynwood Smith for murder in the second degree of Darren Spurlock on Redstone Arsenal in connection with a vehicular homicide that occurred on May 30, 2008. 

“Cox has agreed to a sentence of 30 years in federal prison.  If the Court accepts and imposes the agreed term, she may not withdraw her plea and will be sentenced on January 15, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.” said U. S. Attorney Alice H. Martin.  “Our thoughts are still with the family of Mr. Spurlock who was an innocent victim of her reckless driving.”

Cox, trying to elude Huntsville police officers, entered Redstone Arsenal, a government facility, driving in excess of 90 mph when she ran the red light at Rideout and Martin Road killing Darren Spurlock.  At that time, Cox’s driving privileges were suspended.

This case was investigated by officers of the Huntsville Police Department, Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division.  Assistant United States Attorney David H. Estes is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.