Bradford Neal Meeks

The fate of a local man accused of reckless murder in connection with the 2017 traffic death of a former Cullman High School student is now in the hands of a jury, following the conclusion of trial testimony this morning in Cullman County Circuit Court.

The jury is weighing a verdict on a number of charges against Bradford Neal Meeks, 29, who was present in court each day for his trial, but never took the witness stand.

Meeks is accused of reckless murder, improper lane usage, driving on the wrong side of the roadway and 3rd degree assault, all stemming from a May 7, 2017 vehicle crash that claimed the life of 15 year-old Curtis James Wilson. Wilson’s mother, Ashley, was also injured in the crash.

The state rested its case against Meeks Thursday morning after hearing from a witness with the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, who testified that Meeks’ blood alcohol level exceeded the legal limit of .08 at the time of the accident.

The defense called a single witness before resting its case — a motorist traveling near Meeks’ vehicle on County Road 222 at the time of the crash. The witness testified that she didn’t notice any moving violations from the vehicle Meeks was driving before the accident occurred.

Circuit Judge Greg Nicholas instructed the jury on weighing the evidence presented in the case as it deliberates the reckless murder charge. Under Alabama criminal law, the jury also could find Meeks guilty of two less severe charges — manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide.

The jury began deliberation shortly after noon Thursday.