This is an ongoing story. The Plainsman will update as further information is released.
Jeffrey Scott Towers, 54, was charged with manslaughter following the investigation into the March 7 death of 22-year-old Whitney Robeson at his home in the 7700 block of Deer Trail in Trussville, Alabama. Towers was booked into the Jefferson County Jail without incident on May 11 and later released on a $30,000 bond.
Towers, the father of Robeson's boyfriend, was showing an antique gun in his collection to Robeson and his son when it fired, according to new court records.
In a statement provided to AL.com, criminal defense attorneys John Amari and Dain Stewart of the Amari Law Firm said that while the loss is devastating, they believe the legal process must focus on the facts surrounding the case.
"What happened to Whitney Robeson is nothing short of a tragedy. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this devastating loss," the statement said. "At the same time, a tragic outcome does not resolve the legal question before the court. This case is still in its early stages, and the facts matter. Mr. Towers was not intoxicated, has no history of violence, and has no prior criminal history."
The statement also addressed the decision to move forward with charges after police initially ruled the shooting an accident.
"After the Trussville Police Department ruled this event an accident, the District Attorney’s Office has now made the decision to bring charges," the statement said. "We have tremendous respect for the District Attorney’s Office, and we do not envy the decisions that they are asked to make. At this point, the justice system will have to play out, but in the end, the facts will show that our client is not guilty of these charges."
Andrew J. Moak, a trial attorney at the Turnbull, Moak & Pendergrass law firm representing the Robeson family, disagreed with the statements made by the attorneys representing Mr. Towers, saying the evidence in the case did not support Mr. Towers' innocence.
"At its core, this matter involves the tragic and unnecessary death of a 22-year-old young woman whose life was cut short far too soon," Moak said. "Whitney was a daughter, loved one, and member of her community, and that should never be lost in the discussion surrounding this case."
Moak also pushed back against claims made by Towers' attorneys regarding his client's innocence.
"The Jefferson County District Attorney's Office determined that Mr. Towers acted with criminal recklessness," said Moak. "Given that determination, efforts to portray Mr. Towers as 'innocent' are not supported by the evidence in this case."
Moak said the family's focus remains on accountability and justice moving forward.
"Our focus remains where it should be: seeking justice for Whitney Harlow Robeson and accountability for the actions that led to her death," the statement said.
Police were called to the Trussville residence around 9:30 p.m. after receiving reports of a person suffering from a gunshot wound. Robeson was transported to UAB St. Vincent’s East, where she was pronounced dead at 10:40 p.m.
Robeson, an Auburn University graduate originally from Virginia, was dating Towers' son at the time of her death. She graduated summa cum laude from Auburn in May 2025 with a bachelor's degree in interior design. According to her obituary, she was remembered for her faith, generosity and dedication to family and friends.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office previously ruled the shooting accidental, and authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
No future court date has been announced.
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Gracie Goodman, senior in journalism, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Fall 2025. Goodman previously served as a News Writer. She is currently serving as the News Editor
