Defendants in Magnolia Springs slaying in court this week

BAY MINETTE — Two men charged in the December slaying of a Magnolia Springs man got mixed rulings on motions this week in Baldwin County Circuit Court.

Cortez LeVance Porter, 19, of Foley, and Floyd Cardale Casey, 18, of Magnolia Springs, are charged with murder, burglary and theft of property in the death and robbery of Edward Wayne McCrory, 52, according to court records.

McCrory's landlord discovered him stabbed and beaten in his mobile home off Baldwin County 49 on Dec. 22, according to Sheriff's Office investigators. A four-wheeler, gun and cash were taken, records state.

No trial date has been set in the case.

Casey was being held Friday at the Baldwin County Corrections Center on $250,000 bail, while Porter was also being held there on $2 million bail.

On Friday, Circuit Judge Charles Partin denied defense attorney Danny Mitchell's motion to grant Porter youthful offender status. Partin said his decision was based on preliminary evidence and testimony introduced the day before during a bail-reduction hearing for Casey.

"The court denies this motion based on evidence heard (Thursday) that this was a crime of violence using some sort of blunt object and knife," Partin said.

No ruling has been made on whether Casey will receive youthful offender status, according to court records.

On Thursday, Partin reduced Casey's $2 million bail to $250,000. Defense attorney Tanya Hallford had asked for $50,000 bail.

Partin said Casey is a flight risk and could pose a threat to the community if released, but because he is not charged with capital murder he must be given a more reasonable bail.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Michael Pylant said Casey would "pose a threat to witnesses if released" and that "his association with drugs, theft and violence could pose a threat to the community."

"I believe that Casey committed that murder," investigator Donnie Payne of the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office testified in the Thursday hearing....