Rick Couch / News Editor

Sentencing for the 17th Judicial Court was held in Sumter County Tuesday with five offenders sentenced to prison terms.

One of the more significant sentencings involved Kelvin Bishop, who was recently convicted in the murder of Andres Rumley.

During his trial, evidence proved Bishop was responsible for the fatal shots, which were administered execution style.

Bishop was sentenced to serve a term of 25 years with the Alabama Board of Corrections on the conviction of murder, first degree. He was placed in the Sumter County Jail on Jan. 10 to begin serving his sentence. He will be transferred to a state penitentiary as soon as space is available.

District Attorney Greg Griggers said he was glad to bring closure to the case for the people of Sumter County and Rumley’s family.

“The Bishop case was a bad case because it was such a cold-blooded murder, execution -tyle,” Griggers said. “He shot him five times and we didn’t want a person like that walking around the streets of Sumter County. We also wanted to bring closure to the Rumley family.”

Getting a murder conviction, Griggers said, was a big break in the case.

“The biggest thing in this case was whether or not he would be found guilty of manslaughter or murder,” Griggers said. “We were glad to get the murder conviction.”

Jesse Shepherd, 25, of Demopolis was also sentenced Tuesday. Shepherd was given a sentence of 20 years on robbery, first degree and assault, first degree in connection with a robbery that occurred at the Oak Tree Lounge in Coatopa.

Shepherd was placed in the Sumter County Jail on Jan. 10 to begin serving time on his sentence. He will also be transferred to a state penitentiary when space permits.

Other sentencings included:

Kenneth J. Bell, 34, of Cuba, who was sentenced by the court to serve a term of 7 years with the Alabama Department of Corrections on a conviction of Rape, Second Degree in connection with the sexual assault of a minor.

Andre Jones Brown, 20, of Livingston, who was sentenced by the court to serve a term of 10 years with the Alabama Board of Corrections on a conviction of robbery, first degree.

Dashun O. Smith, 23, of Morningstar, who was sentenced by the court to serve a term of 10 years with the Alabama Board of Corrections on a conviction of burglary, second degree.

All three were taken to Sumter County Jail and will be transferred to a state penitentiary when space becomes available.