Hearing scheduled for man accused of killing Lowndes County sheriff

HAYNEVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) -- A man accused of killing an Alabama sheriff is set to appear before a judge for a preliminary hearing, court records show.

The preliminary hearing is to be held Monday for William Chase Johnson. The 18-year-old faces capital murder charges in the shooting death of Lowndes County Sheriff John “Big John” Williams. Williams was shot and killed Nov. 23 at a gas station in the county where he served as sheriff. Johnson was arrested several hours later.

Johnson is the son of a sheriff's deputy in neighboring Montgomery County, a public information officer for the sheriff's department confirmed to The Associated Press.

Law enforcement officials have released little information about the slaying. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has said Williams was responding to a noise complaint.

Court records show that investigators subpoenaed an iPhone that belongs to Johnson.