- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Madison County shooting case faces possible dismissal over lost evidence
Crucial witness interviews and other key evidence have gone missing, attorneys say
Published on Feb. 9, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A man charged in a deadly 2023 shooting at the Legacy Event Center in Huntsville, Alabama could have his case thrown out after attorneys said key evidence, including 14 recorded witness interviews, has gone missing. The attorneys argue that a fair trial is impossible without the lost interviews, which they say are "core evidence" in the case.
Why it matters
The loss of crucial evidence in a high-profile criminal case raises concerns about the integrity of the investigation and the ability to ensure a fair trial for the defendant. It also highlights the importance of proper evidence handling and preservation by law enforcement.
The details
Ashton Elliott, one of five people charged in connection with the deaths of Kaitlyn Jenkins and Quantasia Grant, both 20, and injuries to about a dozen others, claims that crucial interviews, the crime scene log, and written witness statements were never provided to the defense. Madison County Assistant District Attorney Randy Dill admitted that the referenced recordings and materials did not exist or could not be located, explaining that he had never been provided these items by law enforcement and was therefore unable to turn them over. Further investigation revealed that the crucial evidence had been lost, deleted or destroyed, though it's unclear what exactly happened to it.
- The shooting incident occurred in 2023.
- The missing witness interviews were recorded between January 9–25, 2023.
- The defense raised the issue of the missing evidence in early December 2026.
The players
Ashton Elliott
One of five people charged in connection with the deadly 2023 shooting at the Legacy Event Center.
Kaitlyn Jenkins
One of two 20-year-old victims who were killed in the shooting.
Quantasia Grant
One of two 20-year-old victims who were killed in the shooting.
Randy Dill
Madison County Assistant District Attorney who admitted the referenced recordings and materials did not exist or could not be located.
Trinton Bouldin, Damarcus Thompson, Tamarian Rice, and Ja'quan Lewis
Four other people charged in the case, with charges against Bouldin dropped in December due to a lack of evidence.
What they’re saying
“Once confronted, Madison County Assistant District Attorney Randy Dill admitted the referenced recordings/materials did not exist or could not be located. Dill explained he'd never been provided these items by law enforcement and therefore was unable to turn them over. Upon further checking with law enforcement, Dill learned the crucial evidence had been lost, deleted or destroyed.”
— Ashton Elliott's attorneys (rocketcitynow.com)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide whether to dismiss the charges against Ashton Elliott due to the missing evidence.
The takeaway
The loss of crucial evidence in this high-profile criminal case raises serious concerns about the integrity of the investigation and the ability to ensure a fair trial. It highlights the importance of proper evidence handling and preservation by law enforcement, and the potential consequences when that process breaks down.
