TUSCUMBIA, Ala. — The man investigators say was seen on closed-circuit camera footage fatally shooting a Sheffield motel owner pleaded not guilty to murder. William Jeremy Moore was arrested on February 8 and charged with murder in the death of Pravin Patel, owner of the Hillcrest Motel on N. Jackson Hwy.
Moore waived his right to an arraignment on Thursday.
Court documents show investigators viewed video footage of the incident. The video is described in an affidavit as showing Patel warning Moore he was trespassing and to leave the property "multiple times." The affidavit says Patel was shot twice in the chest. Moore then reportedly tried breaking into a nearby vacant house, and was arrested without incident.
The police activity related to the investigation led to a brief lockdown of nearby Sheffield City Schools.
Moore remains in the Colbert County Jail without bond. A trial has been scheduled to begin August 19.