Talladega murder trial set for monday

Jury selection is expected to begin Monday in the trial of a Lincoln man charged with two counts each of murder and manslaughter.

Police say that 66 year old Kenneth Rex Latham,  was the driver of a 2103 Ford Fusion that collided with a 2003 Ford Focus on Alabama 21 in Winterboro on March 1, 2013. 28 year old Silemon Santiago,  and 23 year old Areli Jacinto,  were in the front seat of the Focus, and were both pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Areli Jacinto was pregnant, according to information released at the time.

There were also four children, between the ages of 1 and 10, in the backseat. All four children were transported to Children’s of Alabama for treatment following the wreck.

Latham also went to the hospital and was treated for his injuries.

According to Assistant District Attorney Christina Kilgore, Latham is charged with murder and manslaughter for each of the Santiagos.

The murder charge alleges that he acted with “extreme indifference,” while the manslaughter charge alleges only that he acted recklessly. He can only be convicted on one charge or the other in each case, not both.

Kilgore added that she expected the evidence to show that Latham was not intoxicated at the time of the accident.

The accident was investigated by Alabama State Troopers.