Douglas Steven Minor, 32, of Ft Payne entered a plea of guilty to Manslaughter on Monday morning before Judge Randall Cole. Judge Cole sentenced Minor to serve 20 years in prison for the crime.

Minor was charged with murder for killing Bobby Lynn Ross on April 25, 2015. According to the investigation, a dispute arose over drug use between Ms. Ross and Doug Minor. Doug became violent and assaulted the victim. The victim suffered from chronic illnesses and did not survive the injuries sustained during the assault. The preliminary autopsy findings indicate that Ms. Ross died of blunt force trauma. The cause of death was ruled a homicide.

District Attorney Mike O’Dell explained how the plea was achieved: “Mr. Minor wrote a letter from jail to accept responsibility for the crime as a Manslaughter. Manslaughter is the appropriate charge if a murder was committed during a “heat of passion” or when someone recklessly causes the death of another person. We reviewed the facts of circumstances of the crime and conferred with lead Investigator, Josh York before reaching a decision to accept his guilty plea. We believe that a plea to Manslaughter and a sentence of 20 years is a fair punishment. It recognizes the severity of the crime and, at the same time, takes into account Mr. Minor’s drug use as a major contributor to the crime.”

“I am hopeful that the families affected by this crime will be able to find closure and healing now that the case is resolved,” said O’Dell. O’Dell expressed gratitude to the Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Forensic Sciences for their hard work in the investigation.

Minor has been in DeKalb County Detention Center since his second arrest and will remain there until transported to the State Department of Corrections.