Albany, Indiana – A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars for the cold-blooded killing of his 59-year-old neighbor. Cy E. Alley gunned down Gerald Lee Copley in what authorities described as a predator-prey scenario, fueled by Alley’s belief that Copley was hacking into his network. Delaware Circuit Court Senior Judge Marianne L. Vorhees handed down the sentence on Monday, ordering Alley to serve 70 years in a state correctional facility.
The jury took only about 20 minutes to find Alley guilty of murder and a sentencing enhancement for using a firearm in the commission of a felony. Judge Vorhees sentenced him to 60 years for the murder and an additional ten years for the firearm enhancement. Prosecutors presented evidence during the trial that on August 23, 2022, Alley shot Copley twice with a 12-gauge shotgun, reloaded, and shot him two more times. The court noted the sheer brutality of Alley’s actions, describing how he walked up to the victim and shot him again, much like a predator chasing its prey.
According to the probable cause affidavit, deputies responded to a reported shooting at Copley’s residence in Albany. They found Copley, who had been shot multiple times, lying against his house. A spent 12-gauge shotgun shell was recovered from the scene. Witnesses reported seeing Alley shoot Copley multiple times before fleeing the scene in a black Ford F250. Alley was apprehended shortly afterward without incident, and deputies found an unspent shotgun shell on his person, similar to the one recovered from the crime scene.
Alley claimed that he believed Copley was hacking into his network, which led him to confront his neighbor. He admitted to shooting Copley four times with the intent to kill him. Police noted that Alley showed no remorse for his actions. Delaware County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Hoffman expressed hope that the sentencing would bring some measure of healing to Copley’s family and friends, emphasizing that Alley is a dangerous individual who will now be held accountable for his brutal crime.
The sentences handed down in this case ensure that Alley will not be able to commit further acts of violence. The court’s decision serves as a reminder of the consequences that await those who take the law into their own hands and commit such heinous acts.