Blevins convicted of manslaughter, gets 30 years

Franklin Ledel Blevins
Franklin Ledel Blevins

By Joseph M. Morgan

joseph@southerntorch.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala.—Franklin Ledel Blevins, 35, of Fort Payne, was sentenced yesterday to 30 years in the Alabama penitentiary by Ninth Circuit Judge Jeremy Taylor after Blevins pled guilty to manslaughter in the death of Huntsville resident Leanna Elaine Ivey, 32.

On Sept. 4, 2013 Fort Payne police officers were dispatched to a residence on a domestic disturbance call alleging that the Blevins had entered a residence armed with a knife looking for the victim. The owner of the residence was able to retreat from her home to a neighbor's house where a 911 call was placed to FPPD. After calling 911, the owner saw Blevins and Ivey leaving the location in a red truck.

A BOLO was issued for the truck which was soon located by police. After being given verbal commands to stop the vehicle and surrender, Blevins refused to comply and fled taking evasive actions to keep from being stopped by pursuing officers. Blevins began running stop signs and traveling at a high rate of speed through the Fort Payne city limits, traveling in the opposing lane of traffic and almost hitting another vehicle head-on.

As the pursuit was approaching the intersection of Alabama 35 and DeKalb County Road 78, Blevins, who was now driving at speeds reaching 90 miles per hour, ran a stop sign and went airborne across Alabama Highway 35 at which time he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a large tree off of DeKalb County Road 295. Ivey, who was in the passenger seat, was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck.

Blevins was originally charged with murder and kidnapping, charges that were eventually reduced to manslaughter in a plea agreement reached between Blevins, his attorney, and the Ninth Circuit District Attorney Mike O’Dell. Blevins was also ordered to pay an Attorney Fee Reimbursement and court costs associated with his prosecution.

"This is tragic case, once again revealing the deadly results of individuals high on illegal drugs," District Attorney Mike O'Dell stated. "Investigative reports from the Department of Forensics Sciences indicated that Blevins had multiple drugs in his system including Diazepam, Methamphetamine, and amphetamine in his system. There is no question in my mind that drug abuse and addiction was the major cause of his actions, resulting in the senseless death of Ms. Ivey. There did not appear to be an intent on Blevins' part to take Ms. Ivey's life. Ms. Ivey was reportedly Blevins' girlfriend. Her life has been taken at an early age, and his freedom has been taken from him. This tragedy could have been avoided, and both lives spared of the results from Blevins' actions."