My PawPaw, Rick Moody, was brutally murdered October 23, 2009 in Marshall County, Alabama.  His murderer, Wesley Claude Burgess, was convicted and sentenced to 99 years in prison. While he will come up for parole, Mr. Steve Marshall (the D.A. of Marshall Co. at the time---now Alabama's Attorney General), made us feel confident that Burgess would never get out. We, as a family, were happy with this sentence and felt justice was served. Nothing will ever bring my precious PawPaw back, BUT at least we knew this monster was behind bars forever, or so we thought. 
FAST FORWARD TO JUNE 10th 2026.......

I check the Alabama Dept. of Corrections monthly to make sure this monster is where he is supposed to be. Although, I am signed up for notifications regarding Wesley Burgess, apparently Alabama severely lacks in this department.  On June 10, 2026 I discovered, ON MY OWN, NO THANKS TO ALABAMA, that Burgess was moved from Staton Correctional Facility to Frank Lee Community Based Facility. 

Frank Lee is a  community-based facility. Yes, you read that correctly. A convicted murderer is no longer in a prison camp; he is in a community-based work facility. I do not know what he does for "work", but I know for a fact that he is bused outside of the gates at Frank Lee daily to "work". The state confirmed this for me via a phone call on  June 11, 2026.  I have a major problem with this. Not only is it a direct slap in the face to me and my family, but it is also absolutely not safe to Alabamians! Furthermore, in the Male Classification Manual on AL DOC website in section 5.6 you are able to read that Burgess does not qualify for this type of camp. Community based camps are for non-violent offenders. I think we can all agree that Wesley Burgess stabbing my PawPaw, dozens of times was absolutely violent; thereby, disqualifying him from participating in a community-based work facility. 
 

I have reached out to numerous people, and I plan to continue to do so. However, I would like to ask you to sign this petition to help me make a change. I want this violent murderer back in a prison camp, ASAP. Not only do I want him moved back, I want this to never happen to any other victim's family. This man is a threat to the community and should never be allowed outside the prison walls. There is a ton of corruption in Alabama's prison system, but this is a major part, and all Alabama citizens should want to do what we can to keep violent murders behind bars. Ask yourself, why do we have judges if the DOC can just do whatever they please? Is this a person you would want working in YOUR community, around your children and family? Consider these questions and keep your family in mind when doing so. Thank you for your prompt attention in this matter and helping me by signing this petition. 

Phot attached is Rick Moody.