Jury clears man of Dothan killing

DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) - A Houston County jury has acquitted a Dothan man accused of manslaughter in the death of a woman police initially said he tried to cover up as a suicide.

John Allen Kolkman was found not guilty Thursday following two days of jury deliberations.

The charges stemmed from the death of Dixie Shirah. Prosecutors alleged Kolkman killed Shirah and then falsely told responding officers she had taken her own life. Investigators quickly became suspicious of Kolkman’s account of the incident, leading to his arrest.

During the trial, witnesses testified that Kolkman, Shirah, and several others in their social circle were involved in drug activity.

Court records indicate Kolkman has a history of drug-related offenses. He still faces pending drug charges in neighboring Geneva County.

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