On Tuesday, a sentencing hearing took place at the Covington County courthouse for a woman who pleaded guilty to felony killing in connection with the death Joshua “J.J.” Mount.
Tammy Armstrong Bush (40), of McKenzie, had applied for probation in connection to Mount’s murder. It took place at Hayslette’s Bridge near the Covington/Butler county line in August 2018.
Circuit Judge Charles “Lex” Short had previously accepted Bush’s guilty plea. She then applied for probation benefits. Bush asked for probation and requested that the Court not order her to serve time in prison or jail as a result her plea. The State was represented by Walt Merrell, District Attorney. Merrell stated that she did not believe anyone should be placed on probation for participating in a death-related crime. Period.”
Riley Powell of Mobile represented Bush on Tuesday. Powell summoned three witnesses to testify for Bush, one of which was the defendant. First, Powell called Kenny Harden, former Butler County Sheriff. Harden, who is now a sergeant at the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office said that he knew Bush’s family from 1995. He also testified that he believed that she should be on probation based upon his relationship with her family. Harden admitted that he didn’t know much about Bush’s involvement in the murder despite being present at the crime scene. Harden acknowledged that he had spoken with one defendant “alone”, but denied that he could recall the contents of that conversation. Merrell asked Harden to testify that he did not complete any written reports about being at the crime scene, or any conversations with any defendant. Harden also denied that he was ever asked to write such reports, contrary the customary practice in law enforcement.
Bush’s pastor testified for her before Bush took to the stand. Bush said that she was so sorry and that JJ did not deserve to die. However, Bush denied knowing or expecting the murder to occur, despite admitting that she had knowingly given firearms to two of her co-defendants in order to wait for the victim’s return. Mount was shot in the head when he returned to Hazlett’s Bridge. He died instantly. Bush stated that she asked Short for probation for her children’s sake and her mother. She also testified that she “pose[s]] no harm to anybody.”
Merrell represented the State in the prosecution and agreed with Bush that Bush did not deserve to kill the victim. Bush and her co-defendants were vigilantes who believed they were able to impose their street justice. This is unacceptable in civilized society. The law will not allow it. JJ Mount had a loving family and has been grieving his loss every day since August 2018.
Bush’s husband Jonathan Bush, her father Vernon Armstrong, and Christopher Bradley Bush, her ex-brother-in-law were also charged. Armstrong pled guilty previously to felony murder, and was sentenced for 30 years at the Alabama Department of Corrections. Jonathan Bush and Bradley Bush will be tried later in the month.
Short denied Bush’s request for probation at the end of the hearing and remanded Bush to custody. Short said he would consider her request for a split sentence.
The Andalusia star-news published the article Woman in 2018 murder, sentenced.
