Boyfriend of woman convicted of killing pregnant woman now charged in the 2023 murder

Three years after a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a pregnant Birmingham mother, the boyfriend of the convicted shooter is now facing capital murder charges. Noland Octavious Moore, 35, has been charged with capital murder in the presence of a child regarding the 2023 death of 36-year-old Justina Wallace.

Legal Developments in the 2023 Case

Last week, a Jefferson County jury found 24-year-old Aaniyah Nowden guilty of capital murder in the July 7, 2023, slaying of Wallace. Nowden, who was sentenced to life in prison without parole, was eight months pregnant at the time of the shooting and had argued a claim of self-defense.

Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr confirmed the new charges against Moore to 205focus.com, noting that investigators received critical information that was not available back in 2023. According to Carr, multiple witnesses have come forward to report that Moore provided the firearm to Nowden on the day of the incident.

The Tragic Context

The shooting, which occurred just before 7 p.m. in the 3200 block of 17th Avenue North, was captured on cell phone video. Wallace, who was pregnant, was holding her young daughter when the encounter took place, with two of her sons standing just feet away. She ultimately left behind five children. Following the shooting, Wallace was rushed to UAB Hospital, where she was pronounced dead the following day.

Reports indicate that Moore was the father of Nowden’s child—who was born while she was in custody—and was also the father of the 2-year-old girl Wallace was holding during the argument. In a heartbreaking aftermath, friends and family held a birthday party for that same toddler just two days after the tragedy.

Trial Testimony and Arguments

The prosecution, led by Deputy District Attorneys Amanda Wineman and Jason Wilson, successfully countered the defense's self-defense argument during the 10-day trial. While defense attorneys Louvenia Borom and Erskine Mathis argued that Nowden feared for her life, prosecutors stressed that Wallace was unarmed and posed no threat.

“This defendant shot and killed a pregnant woman who was carrying nothing but her baby Sky in her arms,” Wilson told the court. Wineman echoed those sentiments, dismissing the defense’s attempt to frame the shooter as a child, asserting, “This is a grown woman and I’m tired of hearing her called a child... That’s not self-defense. It’s cold-blooded murder.”