Shirey says he didn't kill his father
On Monday, Keith Shirey took the stand in his own defense, saying his father, Charles Shirey, was his best friend and that he did not kill him.
Earlier testimony showed Charles Shirey was brutally beaten at least 18 times with an object to the head, suffering skull and brain damage. His body was found by his son on May 24, 2017 in his home on County Road 372 in Dutton.
During questioning on Monday, Keith Shirey told his attorney, Joe Espy III of Montgomery, that he found his father at 11:30 a.m. and called 911.
"I saw my dad laying on his side," said Keith Shirey. "I rolled him over and he was real cold. I couldn't find a pulse."
State prosecutors say money played a part in Charles Shirey's death. Keith Shirey said his father never said he was going to cut him off.
"Who would do the work for him?," asked Keith Shirey.
During cross examination, District Attorney Jason Pierce told Keith Shirey he had a lot of debt. Pierce questioned a transaction Keith Shirey made on the day of his father's death.
"You didn't call your dad once on May 24," Pierce asked Keith Shirey.
"No," he answered.
In earlier testimony, family members testified saying Charles and Keith had been in arguments over money. The defense has denied the money troubles, saying father and son had joint accounts, making the money just as much Keith's.
On Monday, Keith Shirey's wife, Sherry and daughter, Charlsey, testified on his behalf.
Charlsey Shirey said her father and grandfather were best friends.
"My dad was distraught when he saw him," Charlsey Shirey said of May 24.
Sherry Shirey said her father-in-law was a very giving man and very generous.
"They were close, best friends," Sherry Shirey said of her husband and father-in-law.
In other testimony Monday, character witnesses Lamar Brown and Randy Robinson claimed they saw Charles Shirey in his vehicle around 9:45 a.m. on May 24, 2017.
"He passed by us on County Road 400," said Brown.
Both sides began closing arguments Tuesday morning.