Ala. man charged with capital murder allegedly used electric saw in double homicide
07/17/2026 6:30 am PDT
PICKENS COUNTY, Ala. (TCN) -- A 45-year-old man has been charged with capital murder and several other counts in connection with the deaths of a couple in their home, described by police as a “random act.”
WBRC reports that deputies with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on July 12 after receiving a report of a burglary in progress. Deputies took George Birmingham into custody at the scene. Following an interview, police alleged he was connected to a double homicide in the area. The two alleged crimes took place about 45 minutes apart and the residents of the home in the alleged burglary were not harmed.
Officers responded to the home in question and found the bodies of Justin and Lena Elrod, 42 and 43 respectively, per WBRC. The outlet reports the Elrods were acquaintances of Birmingham and the alleged double homicide was a “random act.”
According to court records obtained by WBRC, Justin Elrod had been killed by a metallic object that either stabbed or hit him, and Lena Elrod had been killed with an electric saw.
WWNY reports Justin Elrod was a military veteran and had worked as a corrections officer at a federal prison.
On July 13, Birmingham was charged with capital murder, two counts of murder, second-degree burglary, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and resisting arrest, according to WRBC. He is being held without bond.
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