Russell County jury convicts Phenix City man in 2022 murder case
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- Russell County jury convicted Praather Hiley of murder in 2022 Phenix City shooting of Derante Person.
- Hiley found guilty on lesser charges of menacing for attempted murders of two other men.
A Russell County jury on Monday, April 14, 2026, found Praather Hiley guilty of the murder of Derante Person in connection with a 2022 deadly shooting in Phenix City.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Hiley was also charged with the attempted murders of Garrick Lewis and Justen Johnson. In those counts, the jury returned verdicts on the lesser included offense of menacing.
Prosecutors said the charges stemmed from an incident on June 2, 2022, when Hiley shot Person twice in the back after Person arrived at the mother’s apartment to pick up his child. Authorities said Hiley then fled the scene and fired shots at Lewis and Johnson.
The case was investigated by Investigator Deon San Nicholas and the Phenix City Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Rick Chancey and Melissa Thomas.
Sentencing will be held before James P. Graham III at a later date.
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