Alabama man gets 198 years in prison for double deadly shooting
Cullman County Circuit Judge Emily Johnston on Wednesday sentenced Tyler Dwight Dooley to 99 years each for the deaths of Levi Lawrence and Dalton Bannister, with the sentences to run consecutively.
Mason Reed 
A 32-year-old Alabama man has been handed a massive 198-year prison sentence following a deadly 2020 shooting that claimed the lives of two men. Cullman County Circuit Judge Emily Johnston delivered the consecutive 99-year sentences for Tyler Dwight Dooley on Wednesday, holding him accountable for the deaths of Levi Lawrence and Dalton Bannister.
A Pattern of Evasion
The sentencing comes on the heels of Dooley's May conviction on two counts of felony murder. District Attorney Champ Crocker did not mince words regarding the defendant's behavior, noting that Dooley spent years attempting to dodge the consequences of his actions.
"Tyler Dooley did everything to avoid accountability," Crocker said. "He ran from the law after this crime happened. He escaped from the Cullman County Jail while awaiting trial. And during the trial, he laughed and smirked like this was all some kind of joke."
Dooley was famously among four inmates who escaped the Cullman County Jail in 2021. Addressing the victims' families, Crocker expressed hope that the sentencing provides some measure of closure: "They are carrying a burden no one should have to bear, but I hope this result eases their pain."
Background on the 2020 Shooting
The deadly encounter occurred on Aug. 15, 2020, in the New Canaan community of northeastern Cullman County. According to details shared by the sheriff at the time, the incident began as a small gathering that turned violent when Bannister and Dooley attempted to rob Lawrence.
As Lawrence attempted to leave the scene, he was confronted by an armed Bannister. Lawrence was forced to defend himself, leading to an exchange of gunfire. While Lawrence successfully defended himself against his attackers, he ultimately lost his life in the shootout. Dooley fled the scene immediately after the exchange, leaving others behind.
Status of Other Defendants
The legal fallout continues for others involved in the incident. Jacob Drane, 27, entered a guilty plea in February to two reduced charges of manslaughter and received a 15-year sentence for each count. A third individual, 25-year-old Samantha Robertson, is still awaiting trial.
