Bio

George Everette Sibley Jr. was born on September 8, 1942, in South Bend, Indiana. He grew up in a family with a strong interest in cars and mechanical work. By the time he reached adulthood, Sibley had developed skills in designing and converting cars for drag racing. In 1976, he moved to Orlando, Florida, where he later opened his own auto repair shop. However, he closed it due to difficulties in finding skilled mechanics who met his standards.

Sibley had diverse interests beyond mechanics. He was passionate about reading and sport shooting. He also engaged in political activism, especially around libertarian issues. His life took a significant turn when he became involved with Lynda Lyon Block, a woman who shared his interests and values.

Lynda was raised in Orlando, Florida, and was known for her writing skills, contributing columns and stories to various publications. She became active in community affairs and political activities and met Sibley through the Libertarian Party. They developed a personal and professional partnership, which led to their marriage in 1992. Together, they worked on various projects, including a magazine named "Liberatus," which focused on political issues.

As a couple, they faced personal challenges, including legal troubles that stemmed from a violent altercation involving Lynda’s former husband. This incident led to serious charges against both Sibley and Block. They were set to be sentenced in Florida but chose to flee, leading them to Opelika, Alabama, in October 1993.

Murder Story

On October 4, 1993, George Everette Sibley Jr. and his common-law wife Lynda Lyon Block were fleeing from Florida when they stopped in Lee County, Alabama, at a Wal-Mart parking lot. They were avoiding impending sentencing for an assault charge related to a prior incident involving Lynda's former husband. While Lynda was on a payphone, George stayed with her 9-year-old son in their car.

A concerned passerby noticed the child and reported to Opelika Police Sergeant Roger Lamar Motley that he appeared to be in distress. Officer Motley responded to the call, approached the car, and asked George for identification. George did not comply because he claimed he did not need to show one. Motley's order escalated into a confrontation when he attempted to detain George for not having a driver's license. In response, George pulled a gun and opened fire on Motley, who then sought cover and returned fire.

Lynda, hearing the gunshots, ran towards the scene and pulled out her own firearm, joining in the gunfire. During this exchange, Sergeant Motley was struck several times and later died from his injuries. The pair fled the scene but were apprehended after a four-hour standoff at a roadblock. George was wounded in the arm during the gunfight.

Both George Sibley and Lynda Block were charged with capital murder due to the fatal shooting of Officer Motley. The circumstances of the encounter, including the officers' approach and demands for identification, were central to their defense. Each claimed their actions were in self-defense, arguing that they feared for their lives during what they perceived to be an unlawful arrest. They were convicted in separate trials, with both receiving the death penalty.

After Lynda was executed in 2002, George continued to contest his conviction and sentence, claiming issues with the judicial process and asserting self-defense. Ultimately, following lengthy legal battles and multiple appeals, George Sibley was executed by lethal injection in Alabama on August 4, 2005.