Jury finds Montevallo man not guilty of manslaughter in death of 10-year-old girl

SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) - A jury has delivered a verdict in the case of a man who was charged in connection with the death of 10-year-old Ember Poe in Montevallo.

Poe was riding her scooter along Spring Creek Road in Montevallo on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Poe was hit by a vehicle while riding and was taken to Children’s of Alabama. She died eight days later on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024.

In January 2025, the Montevallo Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for John David Winton of Montevallo.

The warrant charged Winton with reckless manslaughter and Winton also faced charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Court records claimed Winton was under the influence of a controlled substance when the collision occurred.

Following the crash, Winton told police he had a substance in his truck that was not his, but rather something he had found while at work two days prior. That also included a broken glass pipe.

Winton told officers he had nothing in his system except Advil. During a police interview days later, Winton told investigators he had used methamphetamine five days prior to the crash.

During the trial, the defense said Winton passed a field sobriety test and showed no indication he had a substance in his system at the time of the crash.

The defense also argued Winton did not see Poe in the road until she was directly in front of the truck, illuminated by its headlights. The state argued she was visible as he was approaching, giving him time to react.

On Monday, March 16, 2026, the jury found Winton not guilty of reckless manslaughter in Poe’s death. He was found guilty of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Winton’s sentencing will take place in the next 60 days.

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