Overview
- Police found a burned-out vehicle by a Hartford, Alabama river two days after Mother’s Day 2019, with remains later identified as 56-year-old Penny Wilson Newton.
- Deputies noted burns on Chad Brogdon, detected a smell of smoke, and matched his boot prints to tracks at the scene.
- Searches of Brogdon’s home uncovered a removed carpet, rope consistent with the crime scene, and traces of blood in freezers.
- Brogdon was charged with murder and abuse of a corpse, maintained his innocence at trial, and was sentenced to life after about an hour of jury deliberation.
- Current reporting revisits the case and conviction, and no public motive has been established.