Last Updated:May 16. 2008 11:24PM
Published: May 17. 2008 3:30AM

Gov. Bob Riley announced today that the state is offering a $5,000 reward in connection with the April shooting death of a Cherokee man who was scheduled to testify before a Lauderdale County grand jury.

Lauderdale District Attorney Chris Connolly said he received confirmation today from the governor's office that a reward will go to the person providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the death of 27-year-old Willie Jermane Koger.

Koger was found shot to death on April 23 inside his cousin's house on West College Street in Florence.

Police said Koger was shot execution style, with the bullet striking the upper part of his body.

"We believe there is someone who has some information that could be vital to helping solve the case," said Florence police Lt. Randy England. "The problem is getting them to come forward."

He said he's hopeful the reward will help develop some new leads in the case.

"Hopefully, this reward will get someone who has that information to come forward," England said.

Connolly petitioned the governor two weeks ago for the reward.

"We appreciate the governor seeing the importance of this case and being willing to issue the reward," Connolly said.

"We sincerely hope that this reward will lead to the arrest and conviction of the criminal," Kathy Faulk, of the governor's legal office, said in a letter to Connolly.

"We've gotten some leads and tips, and we've followed up on everyone. So far, nothing concrete has developed," said Florence detective Monty Merryman. "That's why we were hoping the reward would get someone to talk."

Detectives said Koger had been staying at his cousin's house in Florence for a couple of days and was to testify during the grand jury session on the day he was killed.

Authorities said Koger was to testify in connection with a shooting that took place outside a West Mobile Street pool room in early April. Koger was shot in the side during that incident.

Shortly after Koger's body was found, police were trying to locate Marcus Dewayne "Huck" Lee, 31, of Florence, who was described as a "person of interest" in the case.

Merryman said they were finally able to talk with Lee and he refused to come in and talk with detectives.

"He also informed us, when we did make contact with him, that he had an attorney," Merryman said.

He said Lee is still considered to be a "person of interest" in the case.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Florence Police Department at 768-2728 or Shoals Area CrimeStoppers at 386-8685.

Tom Smith at 740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.