Baldwin County District Attorney's Office

08/20/2026

Defendant Joseph Kaynen Gurley has been found Guilty of Murder and Attempted Murder after a four day trial in Baldwin County Circuit Court. The Defendant shot and killed J. Matthews Bonnell and then attempted to kill Michael Rohe immediately after at the Audubon Apartments off County Road 64 in Daphne on March 31, 2024. The Defendant fled the scene and was on the run for over 48 hours. He was ultimately apprehended hiding in the woods in Washington County.

Patrick Doggett with the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case to the jury with help from Jodee Crites, certified victim service officer and trial coordinator. Daphne Police Department thoroughly investigated this incident with the leadership of Lt. Jason Lazzari. The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and the Unites States Marshall’s also aided in the investigation and apprehension of the Defendant.

Sentencing is set for October 13, 2026, at 11am in front of the Honorable Judge Ashley Siebert. The Defendant, due to his prior history, will be sentenced to Life in Prison or Life in Prison without the possibility of parole.

08/13/2026

We’re grateful for the Baldwin County CIS team and the important work they do to help keep our office, and our county, secure. 🔐💻

Cybersecurity plays a critical role in protecting sensitive information, maintaining the integrity of our systems, and ensuring we can continue serving the public safely and effectively. We appreciate this team’s continued partnership, expertise, and commitment to staying ahead of evolving cyber threats.

Thank you for helping keep Baldwin County connected, prepared, and protected!

📢 Baldwin County Cybersecurity Training Day

Great day of cybersecurity preparedness with CISA and our Baldwin County CIS team! Today’s cyber tabletop exercise strengthened coordination across our response roles and boosted countywide readiness. 💻🔐

07/15/2026

In today’s digital world, protecting our children takes collaboration. ✏️

Assistant District Attorney Jake Mika, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. David Tetreau, and Baldwin County Board of Education Safety Supervisor Jeff Spaller presented at the Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference at Fairhope Middle School, sharing practical strategies for protecting students in the digital age. 📲💻🫆

Thank you to everyone who attended and for your continued commitment to creating safer schools and stronger communities.

06/24/2026

On June 24, 2026, Baldwin County Circuit Court Judge Byron Brackin sentenced Ugur Tufekcioglu to a maximum total sentence of 129 years for his convictions for So**my in the First Degree, Sexual Abuse of a Child Less Than 12, and Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree.

The case originated from a disclosure made by the minor victim to the victim’s mother. This case was investigated by Lt. Paul Overstreet with the Robertsdale Police Department, who obtained a confession from the Defendant. This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kristi Hagood and Sydnee Corello. Also assisting in the trial was the facility dog for the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office, Platty, and his handler, Brandilyn Lascari. Services for the victim were provided the Baldwin County Child Advocacy Center.

The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank everyone for their hard work in this case. But most of all, the District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the victim and the victim’s family for their bravery, whose testimony was vital in presenting the case in court so that the accused could be brought to justice.

05/30/2026

05/27/2026

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the 🎾 Paddles for Purpose Pickleball Tournament THIS SATURDAY! Grab your partner, hit the courts, and join us for a day full of competition, fun, and community, all while supporting the Baldwin County District Attorney Foundation.

✅ Round Robin Format
✅ Men’s, Women’s & Mixed Doubles
✅ Great Sponsors, Door Prizes & Silent Auction
✅ Food, Fun & Fellowship

Registration closes TONIGHT!

Sign up now and come paddle with a purpose this Saturday! 💜

https://swishtournaments.com/product/paddles-for-purpose/

05/22/2026

🏓 Registration is STILL OPEN for Paddles for Purpose! 🏓

Join us on May 30th at Lott Park in Daphne for a day of fun, friendly competition, and giving back to the community. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just looking to enjoy the day, we’d love to have you on the courts with us!

All proceeds benefit the Baldwin County District Attorney Foundation and help support important programs, trainings, and resources throughout our office and community.

Grab your partner, sign up, and come paddle for a purpose! 💜

05/15/2026

On May 13, 2026, a jury found James Funderburg guilty of Production of Obscene Material of a Child under 17.

At trial, the State of Alabama proved that the defendant used his cell phone to record a 13 year old girl while she was coming out of the shower. The jury found that the defendant recorded this video with sexual motivations.

The case was investigated by Captain Justin Correa, Sargent Richard Gingras, and Megan Johnson with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Sydnee Corello and Courtney Day. Trial Coordinator Breighanna White, Investigator Tucker Davison assisted in trial for this case. The Office of Prosecution Services provided the use of Platano (“Platty”), a facility dog used for reducing the stress of the victim witnesses who testify at trial. Brandilyn Lascari is Platty’s certified handler.

The District Attorney’s Office would like to give a special shout out to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office’s Digital Forensic Unit. With Sargent Gingras’ expertise, law enforcement was able to secure video evidence from the defendant’s phone, which was a crucial piece of evidence in the case. But most of all, the District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the victim and the friends and family of the victim who testified at trial.

05/08/2026

🌧️ WEATHER UPDATE 🌧️

Due to the forecasted weather conditions, we have made the decision to postpone our Paddles for Purpose Pickleball Tournament originally scheduled for this Saturday. While we are disappointed, the safety and experience of our players, sponsors, and volunteers comes first!

📅 NEW DATE: May 30, 2026
📍 Lott Park | Daphne, Alabama

The good news? Registration is now OPEN for the new tournament date! If you missed your chance to sign up the first time, now’s your opportunity to join us for a fun day supporting the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Foundation. 🏓💜

Thank you to everyone for your continued support, flexibility, and excitement surrounding this event. We can’t wait to see you on the courts May 30th!

05/07/2026

A huge thank you to these incredible sponsors for supporting Paddles for a Purpose! 🏓

Shoutout to Chason & Chason, the City of Gulf Shores, Jeb Ball for County Commissioner, Judy Oxford, Sunrise Solutions, Southern Storage of Robertsdale, Novelis, and Woerner Turf for helping make this tournament possible! Your support is making a difference in our community, and we are so grateful to have you on board.