Detective Says Murder Victim At House On Stuart Street Was Shot In The Shoulder, Back, Head

A detective testified Tuesday that a man who was murdered at a house on Stuart Street on Dec. 14 was shot in the shoulder, back and head.

Detective Chris Blackwell said a weapon has not been recovered in the case in which Amy Lynn Bates, 29, faces a criminal homicide charge in the slaying of 38-year-old Paul Brian Rector.

General Sessions Court Judge Gary Starnes bound charges to the Grand Jury against Ms. Bates. They also include aggravated arson, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm with intent to go armed and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Judge Starnes let the bonds remain at a total $1,560,000.

Diane Hays, girlfriend of the owner of the house at 2411 Stuart, said she was awakened by three gunshots. She said Ms. Bates came into her bedroom a short time later and said, "We need to get out of here."

It was testified that Ms. Bates had been staying in a front bedroom of the residence for about three months and Rector had been staying with her for several days prior to the incident.

Ms. Hays said Ms. Bates came back into the bedroom a short time later and said, "We need to set the house on fire."

The witness said she had never seen Ms. Bates with a gun. She said, "She's not a violent person at all. She's a sweet person."

Billy Sells, owner of the house, said he slept through the murder, but was awakened and told by Ms. Hays that "Amy shot Brian."

He said he went into the bedroom and found Rector slumped face down over a stool or bench. He said he bent down to  look into his eyes and could tell he was dead.

The witness said he told Ms. Bates she needed to call 911. He said he did so himself later.

He said after the fire started in the room with the body, he and Ms. Hays got it out by throwing buckets of water on it. He said a wall, computer and stereo had burned, causing about $2,000 in damage.

Detective Blackwell said Ms. Bates was found by a patrol officer several blocks away. She declined to give a statement.

Rector had prior arrests for assault and drugs. Ms. Bates was arrested for theft last August and again in September. She was arrested on theft and drug charges in October.