By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

A 34-year-old Louisiana man pleaded not guilty in the Shelby County Circuit Court Aug. 18 to two counts of capital murder.

Terrance Paul Patterson, who was wearing an orange Shelby County Jail jumpsuit, ankle shackles and handcuffs, entered his plea at the Shelby County Courthouse shortly after 11 a.m.

Patterson has been charged with stabbing and killing Columbiana resident Tryphena Lacey, 24, and her daughter, 9-month-old Trinity Lacey Patterson, in Room 11 at the Shelby Motor Lodge in Alabaster on July 15.

Patterson was the infant’s father, according to Alabaster police Deputy Chief Curtis Rigney.

Police responded to the hotel July 15 after they received a call from a hotel employee at about 11:45 a.m., Rigney said. The employee told officers a blood-covered black male exited Room 11 at the motor lodge before police were notified.

After first responders arrived on the scene, they transported Trinity Patterson by ambulance to Shelby Baptist Medical Center, where she was later declared deceased.

A Lifesaver helicopter airlifted Lacey to UAB Hospital, where she later died.

After Terrance Patterson was treated for minor injuries, he was taken into custody and charged with two counts of capital murder.

Rigney said the incident likely stemmed from a domestic dispute, and was the city’s first double-homicide.

Terrence Patterson is currently being held in the Shelby County Jail without bond.