Three men charged in double-homicide following failed murder attempt

PHENIX CITY, ALABAMA - The two men accused of killing a 12-year-old boy and burying his father alive were charged Thursday in two separate murders. <br> <br> Jimmy Lee Brooks Jr., 22, of Smiths Station, and Michael David Carruth, 43, of Phenix City, were charged in the Jan. 30 shooting deaths of Thurman Ratliff, 68, and his wife Katherine Ratliff, 62. A third man, James Edward Gary, also was charged with capital murder. <br> <br> Brooks and Carruth were arrested Monday in the shooting death of 12-year-old Brett Bowyer and the attempted murder of his father Forrest ``Butch&#39;&#39; Bowyer, 54, said Sheriff Tommy Boswell. <br> <br> Bowyer told police Brooks and Carruth slit his throat and left him for dead in a shallow grave. He clawed his way to the surface and led police to the alleged robbers. <br> <br> Robbery is also the suspected motive in the Ratliff killings. <br> <br> Russell County District Attorney Ken Davis has said he plans to seek the death penalty against both men.