Sand Mountain Reporter

Cullman County Sheriff’s investigators arrested a Boaz man in connection with the November murder of his father-in-law.

Christopher H. Ledbetter, 27, of Boaz, was arrested Dec. 23 and charged with the murder of J.T. “Jimmy” Hayes, of Fairview.

Cullman County Sheriff Tyler Roden said Wednesday Ledbetter remains in the Cullman County Detention Center on a $100,000 cash bond.

“The case will be presented to the grand jury next week,” Roden said.

Hayes, 72, was the one-time owner of the Rack and Cue pool hall in Cullman. His badly beaten body was found in his home Nov. 6. Ledbetter and his wife, Amanda, reported finding Hayes’ body that day, but investigators speculate he died Nov. 4. Amanda Ledbetter is Hayes’ daughter. She has not been charged at this time.

Hayes’ body was found covered with cuts and bruises and an autopsy showed Hayes died from several blows to his body, head, neck and back.

“The couple at that time claimed they were at Hayes’ Pearson Street home to check on him but found him dead.

“We began our investigation at that time. During the course of the investigation of what we thought at that time was a murder, we developed several individuals who were persons of interest pretty early on. One of them was Ledbetter.

“As we continued to conduct our investigation into the case, there were some things that happened (Dec. 23) that opened some new doors into the investigation.”

Roden declined to release specifics of the tips leading to Ledbetter’s arrest and did not discuss motive. Those things will be brought up during the grand jury hearing, he said.

Investigators received tips regarding Ledbetter’s whereabouts on Dec. 23 and that he was traveling into Cullman County near Baileyton. Patrol officers were able to stop Ledbetter and took him into custody without incident Dec. 23.

Roden said some items were discovered taken from Hayes’ home, including guns, cash and jewelry. None have been recovered at this time.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say robbery was the motive,” Roden said. “There could be some other issues that led to Hayes’ death.”

Roden said a number of persons of interest remain in the case and said additional arrests and charges may come about soon.

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