Dad indicted for manslaughter in 3-year-old son's death

A Walker County father has been indicted for manslaughter in the shooting death of his three-year-old son.

A grand jury indicted Joshua Kyle Walker, 24, in the death of his son Landon Walker. Officials say the shooting happened June 4, 2012 at a home on Wingate Drive in Dora.

Family members told FOX6 News at the time that Walker accidentally shot his son with a handgun that he didn't know was loaded. Walker's uncle called the shooting a tragic accident.

Landon, who would have turned four in July, reportedly had autism. His mother, Jessica Jolene Bailey, posted on her Facebook page that she wanted people to participate in the Walk Now for Autism Speaks 5K. She posted, "please keep Landon's memory alive and advocate for this cause."

Last week Walker County DA Bill Adair told the Daily Mountain Eagle he couldn't comment on the evidence, but felt it needed to go to a grand jury because of information from the state pathologist who did Landon's autopsy.

"They investigated it with an open mind, they looked at everything, and I guess I can announce that the forensic evidence was key and why this case went to the grand jury to begin with," Adair said.

Adair wouldn't comment on whether Landon lived with his father at the time of his death but he did admit wishing that Walker hadn't bonded out of jail.

"I'd prefer to see him in [jail]...anybody who's indicted for manslaughter is a very serious charge," Adair said.

Adair also said he couldn't talk about a possible motive, but said there's no excuse for anyone to kill a child.

"It's a very sad case, any time you have a child who dies, it's one of the saddest cases you can work on," he said.

Adair hasn't yet set a date for Walker's trial which is scheduled to take place in Walker County.

Copyright 2012 WBRC. All rights reserved.