Grand jury indicts Macon man in strangulation of girlfriend

A 45-year-old Macon man has been indicted in connection with the October 2009 death of his girlfriend.

Bibb County grand jurors indicted Alphonzo McNear, of Newberg Avenue, on Tuesday on one count of malice murder, according to the indictment.

McNear is accused of strangling 53-year-old Sandra Joann Stell on Oct. 30. He called police about 4 a.m. When officers arrived at the couple’s home, they found Stell dead with bruises on her face, neck and body, according to a Macon police report.

McNear is being held at the Bibb County jail on $22,200 bond, according to jail records.

Also Tuesday:

n Cedric West Battle, 35, of Forest Hill Road, was indicted on charges of criminal attempt to commit murder and aggravated assault, according to court records. Prosecutor Greg Winters said Battle is accused of beating his wife repeatedly with a brick Nov. 18, 2009, until the brick broke in half. Then he allegedly beat his wife, 27-year-old Sherrie Battle, with a stick. The attack occurred in the 2000 block of Lowe Street. Battle is being held at the Bibb County jail without bond, according to jail records.

n Charles William Turner, 39, of Berkley Drive, was indicted on two counts of armed robbery and one count of aggravated assault stemming from two robberies, according to court records.

Turner is accused of robbing the Waffle House at 2644 Riverside Drive on Dec. 10, 2009, armed with a knife. He also is accused of robbing Flash Foods, 3889 Vineville Ave., armed with a hatchet, according to the indictment.

Turner is being held at the Bibb County jail without bond.

Information from The Telegraph’s archives was included in this report.

To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398.