AGENT INVESTIGATIVE SUMMARY

Alabama Department of

ABI-1 (4-87)

PUBLIC SAFETY
ALABAMA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
1.SUBJECT

2. FILE NUMBER

STATEMENT OF ALEXANDER CITY POLICE CORPORAL DONALD
MANESS (03-08-2014)

4C-0216-96-2014
3. DATE OF REPORT

03-12-14

4.SENSITIVITY CODE

A

5. DETAILS

This report summarizes the statement of Alexander City Police Corporal DONALD THOMAS MANESS that was
obtained by ABI Special Agent E.E. HOWTON on Saturday, March 8, 2014, at the Alexander City Police Department
in Alexander City, Alabama (Tallapoosa County). Cpl. MANESS was given his Waiver of Rights by S/A HOWTON,
which Cpl. MANESS acknowledged and signed.
Cpl. MANESS said that he was on routine patrol in the area of the MAPCO service station located at 4761 U.S.
Highway 280 in Alexander City, Alabama. A large crowd had gathered in the parking lot due to several nightclubs that
closed or were closing and that it was not unusual for a crowd to begin gathering in the parking lots of the MAPCO
service station and the Huddle House restaurant. Cpl. MANESS advised that the Huddle House restaurant, located at
4727 U.S. Highway 280 in Alexander City, Alabama, is the only restaurant open late at night in the city.
Cpl. MANESS stated that he parked his patrol unit in the MAPCO service station parking lot and exited his vehicle.
Shortly after exiting his vehicle, he heard several people yelling and shouting near the Huddle House restaurant. Cpl.
MANESS advised that he walked down a hill toward the Huddle House parking lot where he observed three (3)
employees from the restaurant in a heated conversation with a black male. Cpl. MANESS advised that he activated
his Vie-Vu camera that recorded his movements.
As he approached the subjects in the parking lot, a female employee involved in the verbal altercation advised him
that the black male, later identified as EMERSON CRAYTON, had made several threats to them inside the
restaurant. CRAYTON entered a truck (a Ford Explorer) as Cpl. MANESS arrived on the scene. Cpl. MANESS stated
that he ordered CRAYTON to exit the truck, but CRAYTON placed the vehicle into "reverse" and backed out of a
parking space. Cpl. MANESS stated that he continued to order CRAYTON to place the vehicle into park and exit his
vehicle, but CRAYTON shifted the gear into "drive," pointed the tires in MANESS' direction and accelerated toward
him. Cpl. MANESS stated he felt he was in danger and immediately drew his service weapon (a Glock .40 caliber
handgun) and fired approximately three rounds at the vehicle. Cpl. MANESS said that he side stepped the truck
toward the right side, but was unsure if he discharged another round into the truck. The Ford Explorer continued
south toward U.S. Highway 280 from the parking lot, drove out of the parking lot and onto the grass as the truck
continued uphill. The truck ran over several bushes and then turned east toward the MAPCO station. The truck
jumped two curbs before finally stopping on a grass island next to a boat and trailer that was in front of the MAPCO
service station.
Cpl. MANESS stated that he requested back up and reported that shots had been fired. Officer TROY
MIDDLEBROOKS was the first officer on the scene after the shooting. Officer MIDDLEBROOKS broke out the front
driver's side window in order to enter the vehicle and check on CRAYTON's condition. Cpl. MANESS indicated that
Officer MIDDLEBROOKS advised him that CRAYTON was unresponsive.
Attachment:
Interview sheet
Waiver of Rights form
LETS Photograph

6. NAME OF AGENT (Prefix, First, Middle, Last, Suffix)

Earl E Howton Jr

7. SIGNATURE OF AGENT

8. REVIEWED BY

Cpl. STEVE ARRINGTON
9.

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10. EXHIBIT NO.