By Associated Press - Thursday, March 20, 2014

OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) - Testimony shows a man on trial in a deadly community college shooting in Opelika told investigators he meant to kill.

Jurors heard a statement by Thomas Franklin May III during his capital murder trial Wednesday.

May is accused of killing his mother-in-law and wounding his estranged wife, young daughter and his wife’s grandmother at Southern Union State Community College in 2011.



In the statement, May says he pulled out a pistol and “tried to kill everyone.” The man told police he just wanted his daughter, who was in a vehicle with the other women.

May told police he left after realizing his 4-year-old daughter was in the vehicle. The girl was hurt by flying glass.

May is using an insanity defense. He could be sentenced to death if convicted.

Copyright © 2025 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.