- 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
Opelika Today
By the People, for the People
Second defendant found guilty in 2020 Auburn teen murder case
Marcus Wigley convicted of capital murder and kidnapping in death of Thomas Green
Published on Feb. 12, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A Lee County jury found Marcus Wigley guilty of capital murder and kidnapping Thursday in the 2020 death of 18-year-old Thomas Green. Wigley is the second of three defendants charged in Green's kidnapping and murder. Green's body was found off Lee Road 188 about five days after he was reported missing in 2020.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing challenges in the community to address violent crime and bring justice for victims and their families. The conviction of the second defendant is an important step, but the community is still awaiting the trial of the third suspect.
The details
The jury delivered the guilty verdict after about an hour of deliberation. Wigley is charged alongside Taharra Brunson and Damian Williams for their involvement in Green's kidnapping and murder. The jury could have found Wigley guilty of the lesser included offense of felony murder, but instead convicted him of capital murder. Wigley did not testify in the trial and is now awaiting sentencing following the guilty verdict.
- Thomas Green was reported missing in 2020.
- Green's body was found off Lee Road 188 about five days after he was reported missing.
- The jury delivered the guilty verdict against Marcus Wigley on February 12, 2026.
The players
Marcus Wigley
The second of three defendants charged in the kidnapping and murder of Thomas Green.
Thomas Green
An 18-year-old who was kidnapped and murdered in 2020.
Taharra Brunson
One of the three defendants charged in the kidnapping and murder of Thomas Green.
Damian Williams
One of the three defendants charged in the kidnapping and murder of Thomas Green, who has not yet gone to trial.
What’s next
The third defendant, Damion Williams, has not gone to trial yet and no date has been set.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing challenges in the community to address violent crime and bring justice for victims and their families. The conviction of the second defendant is an important step, but the community is still awaiting the trial of the third suspect.
