Capital murder suspect accused of threatening witnesses - WAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, AL

A man awaiting trial on murder charges is now accused of threatening witnesses to the crime.

Investigators intercepted some potentially deadly letters Derek Burt tried to send from jail.

Colbert County Sheriff Ronnie May said his deputies intercepted a letter from Burt asking a friend to kill two members of the Ricks family.

Deputies arrested Burt this summer, charging him with five counts of capital murder in the 2008 shooting death of Harry Ricks.

May said deputies found the letter last month.

In the letter, Burt said, "…without witnesses the state would not have a case," referring to the murder request.

He also said a couple of stacks should do the job. "Stacks" is a street slang for bullets.

Investigators said the letter was addressed to a friend out of state, and they are working to find the intended recipient.

Investigators are still hunting for two other men who may have been involved in the murder of Ricks.

If you have any information, call Colbert County deputies.

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