Guilty Verdict In Beating Death Of 60 Year Old

Alabama Mobile During the trial a man was also charged with disorderly conduct.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Wed, May 13, 2009 - 9:34 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, May 13, 2009 - 9:54 pm CST

One trial is over, and another one coming up in the murder of a 60 year old man beaten to death in south Mobile County.
A jury deliberated about two hours Wednesday afternoon before finding Craig Skipper guilty of the murder of Charles Tillman last year.
Prosecutor Ashley Rich said Skipper, his son Adam, and two other men used fists, sticks and a baseball bat to kill Tillman on Two Mile Road in south Mobile County last June.
Rich said, "It is what the verdict should have been. It is what the state argued all along. He participated in the act, he was one of the main actors in the beating of Mr. Charles Tillman and, as such, he should have been found guilty of murder and the jury saw that and did find him guilty of murder."
Skipper's attorney, Dennis Knizley, said he was "sort of disappointed, but we respect the jury's verdict."
Knizley said he'll appeal the verdict and argued "that someone else was responsible, that Mr. Skipper may have been present, but another person actually inflicted the fatal blows."
After the verdict was announced, court police said they arrested Steven Kerry Skipper on charges of disorderly conduct and interfering with government operations.
Police said he slammed his fist into a door.
Wesley Tillman, Charles Tillman's uncle, reacted to the verdict by saying, "I think it was well served. Justice was done and that's what I'm pleased with."
Craig Skipper will be sentenced on June 25 and, because of three prior felonies, he faces either life in prison or life without the possibility of parole.
Wesley Tillman said he'll never forget Skipper was found guilty of killing one of Tillman's nephews.
He said, "He was my favorite, my favorite. I've got a bunch of them."
Craig Skipper's 17 year old son, Adam, will also be tried for Charles Tillman's murder.
Prosecutors said they expect to set his trial date in the next few weeks.

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Truth will prevail Says:

Mon, May 18, 2009 at 9:59 pm

mustuknow: this 60 y/o man initiated the physical aspect of this tragedy. He was a heavy built man who bruised and bloodied the 100lb 16 y/o Skipper boy. Craig Skipper has his misgivings but he is no murderer. Would anyone stand by and watch their child being beaten by Mr. Tillman (or by anyone else for that matter). The Skipper family has no ties to anyone in the DA’s office & certainly don’t line their wallets. Goleman, who pled guilty,only did so to make a deal with the DA’s office by turning on the elder Skipper. Goleman gets a split sentence 5/15 in return for his testimony against Craig Skipper. How would it have looked if the Skipper family made the similar statement the Tillman woman did with a great big smile as she stated “mess with one of us,honey, mess with all of us”. Who is she threatening & why isn’t the Tillman’s dirty laundry being blasted in the media? Consider the family source she’s standing for. She only showed SOME of their true colors. If you only knew half!!

carl Says:

Mon, May 18, 2009 at 6:15 am

Did I read or hear in another article that drugs and alcohol was used by all involved in this event? If so it could explain this seemingly senseless act by both parties.There isn’t going to be any winners in this case,just a lot of hind sight of what could have been done to avoid it.

mustuknow Says:

Sun, May 17, 2009 at 11:00 pm

Truth will Prevail: Since I am not from the area I am kinda at a loss by what your statement referred to or who it referred to…. Was the Decedent (Mr. Skipper) family, buddies, college roommates or something with the District Attorney or someone in his office. Where is the connection, I’m sorry but I have tried to follow this story from the beginning but somehow I have missed something along the way…

Truth will prevail Says:

Sun, May 17, 2009 at 9:24 pm

All these people so quick to be judge, jury and executioner. Answer this: you find a 60 year old man pounding your 16 year old child in the face until he is bruised and bleeding and a parent is to just stand by and watch? We all know that would not happen. What about the two teens who admitted guilt just so they could cop a plea with the DA, just to cover their own rear ends. Two of the juveniles pled guilty to the crimes but a father was convicted of the murder. Suppose all of them should have stood by watching Mr. Tillman beat the life out of the 16 year old boy, who may weigh 100 lbs. Have you seen the size of that man? Justice doesn’t always prevail, it’s who you know, who you’re related to, who’s family is involved [He was a _______, you mess with one of us, honey you mess with all of us] Couldn’t miss her smile. Unless you were there, quit badmouthing people just because you think it looks good in the news. Hate causes more hate. Sarcasm does no good! Know your facts people

lovin life Says:

Thu, May 14, 2009 at 10:36 pm

I just want to say to the Tillman Family that I will keep ya’ll in my prayers. I hope somehow after these trials are over and these men are punished, your family will have peace and closure in your hearts.

I personally think all 4 people should be punished as severly as Craig Skipper, which I hope is at least life without parole. And the younger boys should not be tried as a youth, they are old enough to know what they did and that they were taking someones life, someones Dad, Grandpa, brother or son. My 13 year old son understands that for goodness sakes!

SumOneILove Says:

Thu, May 14, 2009 at 8:13 am

I agree Mom2~ People are not who they used to be.

Mom2AngelBaby Says:

Thu, May 14, 2009 at 8:07 am

When you stand and watch someone murder another YOUR JUST AS GUILTY AS THE ONE DOING IT in my eyes. Espically when you take no actions to stop them from doing it! Three felonies gezzzum! Never been involved with the law in my life and people act like its no big deal to go to prison? Everything is FREE there so of course they don’t mind…

bobcat Says:

Thu, May 14, 2009 at 8:05 am

A defense attorney with a conscience? Is it possible?

bobcat Says:

Thu, May 14, 2009 at 7:57 am

The defence attorney said he was “sort of disappointed”. Only “sort of”? Maybe because he has to appeal the verdict and he “sort of” wishes he didn’t have to? The appeal will be argued on the accusations that someone else beat the victim to death and one of those defendants is this defendants 17y/o son. Thanks Dad….. lol.
Obviously blood isn’t thicker than bread and water.

SumOneILove Says:

Thu, May 14, 2009 at 6:59 am

I am so glad. He should sit in jail all his life and think about what he has done.