Father went to pick up baby at Phenix City apartment. Here’s the verdict for dad’s murder
A Russell County jury found a man guilty Monday in the June 2022 shooting death of a man in Phenix City, according to Russell County District Attorney Rick Chancey.
Chancey said Praather Hiley, 27, was found guilty of murder in the death of Derante Person, 23, at Frederick Douglass Apartments in Phenix City.
Person died from multiple gunshot wounds at a Columbus hospital after Phenix City police officers found Person wounded when called at 3:58 p.m. on June 2, 2022, to 1500 11th Ave,
Chancey said Hiley also faced charges of attempted murder of two other people.
“The jury returned a verdict of the lesser included offense of menacing as to both victims,” Chancey said.
Chancey said the charges against Hiley arose after Hiley shot Person twice in the back when Person arrived at the mother’s apartment to pick up his child. Chancey said Hiley and the baby’s mother had been living together.
Upon fleeing the scene, Chancey said Hiley then shot at the other two people. Hiley was living with his girlfriend in Phenix City at the time but was on probation out of Columbus.
Chancey extended his appreciations to Investigator Deon San Nicholas and the entire Phenix City Police Department for their “excellent work in this matter.”
Sentencing will occur before Judge James P. Graham III on a date to be scheduled, according to Chancey.
The case was tried by Chancey and Chief Deputy Assistant District Attorney Melissa Thomas.
This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 2:53 PM.