By Andrew White, Kate Seaver, Jordyn Davis
In September of 1989, the Samford community was shocked to hear that Samford Debate Coach William Slagle murdered 20-year-old Rex Copeland, a student on the Debate Team. In the early hours of Sept. 21, 1989, Slagle fatally stabbed Copeland 12 times in his Shelby County Apartment.
The Crimson ran a story about the murder on the front page, saying “SU community waiting for answers concerning Copeland murder.”
In the following issue, the Crimson reported that Slagle, described as controlling and argumentative by friends of the professor, was suspected and wanted for the murder.
According to the court case, after the body was found by Copeland’s debate partner Scott Barber and Copeland’s girlfriend, Susan Dean, Slagle consoled students and expressed his regret to the victim of the family. Slagel also attended the funeral of Copeland before he was wanted for the murder.
Slagle would later write a letter to the authorities confessing his actions, rent a car and go on the run. He was on the run for six months before surrendering according to an AL.com update during Slagle’s attempt at parole.
Slagle was eventually arrested and pleaded self-defense, receiving a life sentence in prison.
The Crimson continually reported on updates to the case. “(Scott) Barber was Copeland’s debate partner at the time of Copeland’s death. When shown a picture of Copeland’s bloodied face at the crime scene, he had to turn away,” reported the 1990 Crimson article.
Copeland’s family filed a civil case against Samford in Samford v. Copeland. According to Justia.com, the Copelands alleged that Samford had negligently hired Slagle and he was discussing Samford-related business when the murder occurred. The Alabama Supreme Court concluded the case by granting Samford a motion for summary judgment (a court decision made without a trial), due to the murder being in complete deviation from the university itself.
Mike Janas, a current Samford Journalism and Mass Communications professor, was the direct successor of Slagle and worked to establish a series of changes in the debate team. He has worked to honor Copeland and established a scholarship in partnership with Sigma Chi, Copeland’s fraternity.
The National Debate Tournament named their first place award the Copeland Award in honor of Rex Copeland.
Although coverage of a high-profile topic like a murder is unprecedented for many college students, the staff of the Crimson at the time didn’t hesitate to report on the issue, publishing many stories over the course of several years.
