SPANISH Fort, Alabama — Hundreds of checks totaling more than $50,000 earmarked for information in the murder of Spanish Fort icon Arthur “Bobby Wilson” were returned this week, after no leads developed since the brutal Aug. 11, 2007,  early morning attack.

Rodney Young, a personal friend of Wilson and a pallbearer at his funeral, said Wednesday he and two others set up the fund to coax people who may have information to come forward. Friends and patrons were quick to swell the account.

“We made a conscious decision a year ago that we needed to return the money,” Young said Wednesday. “We thought it might be nice before Christmas.

“The previous Baldwin County District Attorney (Judy Newcomb) and the current District Attorney (Hallie Dixon) said the money was given for the right reason, but there has been so much time, and the money might hinder the prosecution. The money is no good anymore.”

Spanish Fort resident Eric Buzbee was charged with capital murder, but  acquitted. Following the trial, Newcomb said there were no other suspects. “All the evidence points to him,” she said.

Buzbee maintains his innocence. In an interview with Gulf Coast Newspapers following the acquittal, he said, “I did not kill Bobby Wilson, but Judy Newcomb tried to kill me.”

Young said the panel kept meticulous records, but some anonymous donors contributed about $4,000, which will be given to charities next year. He said returning the money was a phase, but he considers the case still open.

“If you watch ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ and remember Floyd Lawson’s barber shop, that was like Bobby’s place,” he said. “Obviously, it’s changed, but I don’t want to lose it. I still go there regularly.”

Wilson was known as being gruff, but having a heart of gold. Numerous cash-strapped patrons recall him agreeing to time payments for vehicle repairs, or tossing the keys to his personal vehicle for patron use until repairs were completed.

Tracey Goens, Wilson’s daughter, has taken on managerial duties at Wilson’s Service Center. She said Wednesday she is constantly reminded of the brutal death by friends’ comments who patronize the establishment, and she struggles with unanswered questions.

“This was a horrible, tragic thing for me and my family,” Goens said Wednesday. “Some customers just can’t come in anymore. One starts talking about him and starts crying, even after all this time.”

Goens said she still has questions about the investigation and lack of vigorous prosecution. Specifically, she wonders why the crime scene was not secured, and why bleach was used to clean up the service station hours after the attack, which destroyed potential critical evidence.

“Maybe authorities thought Bobby was not hurt as badly as he was, she said. “But it was a crime scene and steps should have been taken to secure it.

“Life is short. I have learned not to take my family and friends for granted. Things can change in a second. Christmas is hard. A granddaughter was born the day he died. It’s said he can’t see her.

“I think more about helping others, like my dad did. My faith has grown. There will never be another Bobby Wilson. We want to keep the business going for the community. They want us to.”