Police secure murder warrant for Priceville man involved in ex-wife’s death

By David Gambino

For the Enquirer

Priceville police on Thursday secured an arrest warrant for murder for Zachery Allen Merriman, the man police say was involved in the Sunday shooting death of ex-wife Kimberly Shaun Ricks, months after Ricks was denied a protection order against him.

Merriman, 33, remained in the Lawrence County Jail on Friday. He was arrested by deputies on Tuesday and charged with assault, burglary, theft and other charges related to an alleged attempted motorcycle theft on Sept. 18, according to a Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office spokesman.

Priceville police said the murder warrant will be served to Merriman as soon as he is eligible to be transferred to the Morgan County Jail, where he will remain without bond pending an Aniah’s Law hearing.

Merriman and Ricks had three young children and divorced in 2019, according to court records. Prior to Ricks’ death, she attempted to modify the custody agreement. In May, Ricks petitioned Cullman County for a protection from abuse order against Merriman, claiming he had been stalking her. The petition was denied by Circuit Judge Gregory Nicholas.

Merriman has been charged twice with violating a protection order barring him from contacting his current, estranged wife.

Monday afternoon, the Cullman County District Attorney’s Office moved to revoke Merriman’s bond for a first-degree theft charge he faces there, and Nicholas issued an arrest warrant for Merriman.