Two Suspects Charged In Fatal Shooting and Burning of Family

July 28, 2008— -- BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- Two young men were jailed without bond on capital murder charges Monday in the deaths of a family of four whom authorities said were fatally shot and left in their burning home.

Jail records showed Shaunasty Lowe, 18, and Steven Jamal Williams, 19, both of Bessemer, were booked Sunday on the charges, which carry a possible death penalty.

The two were held in the deaths of Derrick Witherspoon, 37, Elizabeth McFarland Witherspoon, 34, Jerome McFarland, 13, and Justin McFarland, 11. The four were found dead in their burning home early Thursday, and an autopsy showed they had been shot.

Jail records did not indicate that either suspect had an attorney Monday.

Authorities have not said what the motive in the killings might have been.

On Sunday, the pastor of a church that the family attended struggled to explain the slayings to the congregation.

"I've buried a lot of folks, but this has left me floored," the Rev. Michael Mays said in an interview with The Birmingham news. "What do I say to a bunch of folks who've lost people so close to them so brutally?"

Lawrence Edmond, chairman of the board at New Bethel Baptist Church, said the McFarland brothers excelled in studies and sports.

"They did outstanding in everything. It's a great loss, and I just don't understand it," Edmond said.

ncG1vNJzZmiZkpi7psPSZ56oZpOkunCgx56Dmq9fqMGwvth4oJ11ZWmDd4GUbV2pmZeainI%3D