Published: September 12, 2018

A LAUDERDALE COUNTY MAN HAS BEEN INDICTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE 2017 SHOOTING DEATH OF HIS BROTHER IN LAW.  THE TIMES DAILY REPORTS, ROBERT EUGENE HASTINGS, 34, OF FLORENCE, WAS INDICTED ON CHARGES THAT HE SHOT AND KILLED JUSTINE KYLE MERRINER, 21, OF FLORENCE.  REPORTS INDICATE MERRINER WENT WITH HASTINGS TO MAKE A DRUG DEAL WHICH HASTINGS TOLD HIS SISTER WENT BAD.  MERRINER'S WIFE CONTACTED THE AUTHORITIES WHO FOUND HER HUSBAND SLUMPED OVER IN A CAR IN A FIELD.  HASTINGS WAS ARRESTED AFTER INVESTIGATORS SEARCHED HIS RESIDENCE AND FOUND A BOX OF PISTOL SHELLS THAT MATCHED THE SAME SHELL CASING USED IN MERRINER'S DEATH.  HASTINGS IS SCHEDULED TO BE ARRAIGNED SEPT. 28 BY LAUDERDALE CIRCUIT JUDGE BEN GRAVES.