Dothan man pleads guilty in Ozark murder

By Ebony Horton

Published: July 25, 2008

OZARK – One of two brothers charged in the death of Miles Ben Ansley of Ozark pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of murder on Friday.

Darrell Facion, 22, of East Burdeshaw Street in Dothan, pleaded guilty to felony murder and was sentenced to 22 years in a state prison, minus time served since Ansley’s murder on Nov. 27, 2007.

Authorities believe Ansley was shot in his residence on Orange Lane by Facion’s brother, 23-year-old Alvin Facion, also of East Burdeshaw Street in Dothan, during a robbery set up by Ansley’s friend, 31-year-old Donovan Beaty of Don Circle in Ozark.

All three men were charged with capital murder.

Both Dale County District Attorney Kirke Adams and Darrell Facion’s attorney, Neville Reese, agreed there was no evidence Darrell Facion had conspired with his brother or had any knowledge his brother was going to kill Ansley.

But Darrell Facion entered Ansley’s residence, Reese said.

“It was in his best interest to plead. Under our law, if you are part of a felony in the course of which somebody dies, then you’re just as guilty...,” Reese said. “(Darrell Facion) took responsibility for what he did. He regrets what he did ...”

Under the plea, Adams said Darrell Facion could be eligible for parole in seven and a half years. He could have served between 10 and 99 years in a state prison.

Adams said he considered in the plea deal what a judge would have sentenced Darrell Facion to if he had been convicted.

“Again there was no evidence Darrell knew or had a plan with Alvin. … That’s felony murder in which today, Darrell took responsibility for his role,” Adams said.

Ansley’s mother sat quietly near family during Darrell Facion’s plea.

She left the courtroom shortly after.

“For the rest of my life I gotta stay in tune and fight to make sure these boys stay in jail,” she said.

Jury trials for Beaty and Alvin Facion are set for September.