News Summary
Floyd Lee Coleman, the oldest inmate in Alabama’s prison system, died at 106 years old due to medical complications at UAB Hospital. He had been serving a life sentence for the 1978 murder and rape of a 7-year-old girl. Despite his advanced age, his case highlights ongoing discussions surrounding the treatment of elderly prisoners and the implications of long-term incarceration in Alabama’s criminal justice system.
Bessemer, Alabama — Floyd Lee Coleman, the oldest inmate in Alabama’s prison system, died at the age of 106. Coleman passed away on Wednesday at UAB Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment since May 19 due to medical complications. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed his death, which occurred on May 21 at 6:09 p.m. Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates stated there were no signs of trauma or foul play involved in Coleman’s passing.
Coleman had been serving a life sentence for the 1978 murder and rape of 7-year-old Quintina Steele. Initially sentenced to death in 1979, he was granted a new trial order in 1981. In August 1984, Coleman accepted a plea deal, ultimately resulting in a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Details Surrounding the Crime
The crime for which Coleman was convicted took place on December 3, 1978, when he was 60 years old. On that day, Coleman encountered Quintina Steele on a street in Bessemer and led her to his residence. Following the incident, he was found guilty of strangling the young girl to death. The severity of his crime was highlighted during the trial, where Coleman’s actions were described as “heinous, atrocious, and cruel.” Though he received a life sentence, Coleman consistently denied the allegations against him and claimed that he was heavily intoxicated at the time of the crime.
Life in Prison
Throughout his lengthy incarceration, Coleman served more than 45 years in prison, making him not only the oldest inmate in Alabama but also a significant figure in discussions surrounding the state’s criminal justice system and its handling of elderly inmates. His advanced age raised questions about the treatment of aging prisoners and the implications of long-term imprisonment.
Context of Incarceration
Alabama’s criminal justice system has undergone various changes over the years, but cases such as Coleman’s remain focal points for understanding the balance between punishment and rehabilitation, especially in relation to serious offenses committed many decades earlier. With his passing, the case and the circumstances surrounding it resurface discussions on how the state addresses crime, punishment, and the aging population within its correctional facilities.
As members of the community reflect on Coleman’s lengthy life sentence and the tragic crime that led to it, this event marks the end of an era for a case that has been part of Alabama’s legal history since the late 1970s. The legacy of Floyd Lee Coleman serves as a grim reminder of the impact of violent crime, the consequences that follow, and the ongoing dialogue concerning justice in America.
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Additional Resources
- WVTM 13 News
- ABC 33/40 News
- CBS 42 News
- AL.com
- Montgomery Advertiser
- Wikipedia: Prison system in Alabama
- Google Search: Floyd Lee Coleman
- Google Scholar: Floyd Lee Coleman
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Criminal justice
- Google News: Floyd Lee Coleman
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
