GUILTY VERDICT IN BRIONI RUTLAND MURDER CASE

FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) – Sentencing for a man convicted in the death of a northwest Alabama volunteer football coach is set for Jan. 28.

Jeremy Williams of Florence was found guilty of intentional murder Saturday in the November 2013 death of 27-year-old Brioni Rutland. Williams had been charged with capital murder in the case.

Rutland was a volunteer coach at Deshler High School in Tuscumbia and Williams has said the man’s death was in self-defense. Williams said Rutland came to his house to collect a gambling debt and threatened to cut off one of his fingers.

Authorities have said Rutland was stabbed, shot and thrown over a railroad bridge into the Tennessee River.

Lauderdale County Chief Assistant District Attorney Will Powell says Williams faces 20 years to life in prison.