An Alabama woman was sentenced to life in prison Friday after authorities said she hired a hitman to kill the father of her child in a custody dispute.
Jacqueline Scuse, 43, of Madison, was found guilty of capital murder after she hired a man to kill the child’s father to prevent him from getting custody or further visitation, the Morgan County Prosecutor’s Office said.
On July 24, 2020, the Hartselle Police Department was dispatched to a residence to conduct a welfare check after Anthony Larry Sheppard failed to appear in court for his scheduled custody hearing.
Investigators said his lawyer asked officers to check on him.
Upon arrival, police discovered that Sheppard’s storm door was broken and the main door was partially open.
Officers later found Sheppard dead with multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigators determined that Skuce hired Logan Delp to kill Sheppard to prevent him from getting custody or visitation with his child.
Prosecutors said Skuce used social media to hire the killer, who lived in Hartselle, according to the Hartselle Inquirer. She allegedly offered to pay $30,000.
“There are never winners in a case like this,” Assistant District Attorney Garrick Vickery said after the sentencing.
“This jury was incredibly thorough and took their time to make sure they made the right decision, both for Mr. Sheppard and for the defendant.”
“We are pleased that they convicted her because of the choice she made to keep Mr. Sheppard away from his family,” Vickery added.
Skuce was found guilty of three counts of first degree murder: murder for hire, murder of a witness, and murder committed by shooting into an occupied dwelling.
Four other defendants have been charged with murder in connection with Sheppard’s death.
The prosecutor’s office said Delp was convicted of capital murder in October 2025. Another defendant pleaded guilty, and two others are awaiting trial.
Skuce will be incarcerated without the possibility of parole in the Alabama Department of Corrections.