Bellew sentenced to life without parole in 2016 slaying of Rainbow City man

Etowah County Circuit Judge Sonny Steen handed down the harshest sentence available for a man convicted in the November 2016 death of a Rainbow City man.

A jury in April, after a four-day trial, found Hunter Bellew guilty of capital murder in the death of Tony McCartney. Bellew was accused of breaking into McCartney's home and shooting him as he lay in bed, then taking guns and a truck from McCartney's property.

"This sentence handed down by the court is the most serious penalty Hunter Bellew could have received by law," District Attorney Jody Willoughby said. "Life without the possibility of parole will ensure that Hunter Bellew never harms another innocent human being as he so heinously did on the night of Nov. 6, 2016."

Bellew was 18 when he was arrested for the murder of McCartney, 50.

McCartney had been a friend of Bellew's father, and Bellew had visited the home where the victim died prior to the break-in and murder.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Marcus Reid and Deputy District Attorney Brynn Crain.

Willoughby praised the efforts of Rainbow City police and Etowah County law enforcement agencies who assisted in the investigation and prosecution of the case.

More:Bellew found guilty of capital murder in 2016 Riddles Bend burglary-homicide

"We are very pleased with the court's sentence in this case," Crain said. "We felt like it was important that Hunter Bellew spend the rest of his life in prison.

"The family has waited a long time for this sentence, and I hope it helps provide them with the peace and closure that they deserve," he said.

Contact Gadsden Times reporter Donna Thornton at 256-393-3284 or donna.thornton@gadsdentimes.com.