PELL CITY — A judge lifted restrictions on a man who remains free on bond after being indicted for the murder of his father.

“I’m going to lift the restriction on travel, but you better not come in contact with any of these people (with certain members of the Carleton family),” St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Charles Robinson told Robert “Bob” Allen Carleton, 47, of Pell City, who was indicted in June for the March 23 murder of his 67-year-old father, William “Bill” Randolph Carleton Sr.

Under Robinson’s ruling, Carleton is only allowed contact with certain family members, his mother, wife and son.

Carleton basically remained under house arrest while in St. Clair County, one of several stipulations imposed by St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Jim Hill after he set a $250,000 bond, shortly after Carleton’s arrest.

Robinson said in court Thursday, Carleton does not pose a threat to the general public, and this matter stems from an ongoing family feud involving family property.

“You are not to go on that estate property,” Robinson told Carleton in court Thursday.

Van Davis, who has also joined the case as one of Carleton’s defense attorney, told Robinson that his client has missed many of his son’s activities because of the travel restrictions imposed by the court.

“He missed his son’s baseball season,” Davis told Robinson.

Bill Trussell, whose firm also represents Carleton, said their client has no criminal history, and there have only been family problems, no problems with the general public.

“He wants to go to church services,” Trussell said. “And his grandparents need assistance.”

St. Clair County Assistant District Attorney Lamar Williamson told Robinson the restrictions were set by the court and he asked that the court enforce those conditions.

Robinson sternly warned Carleton and other family members present in court Thursday to avoid contact with one another or face contempt of court charges.

In April, St. Clair County Investigator Billy Murray testified at Carleton’s preliminary hearing the defendant told authorities he shot his father once with a shotgun in self-defense.

Murray said Carleton told authorities his father threaten to kill him, not once but twice, and attempted to run him over with an ATV.

Murray testified Carleton alleged he shot his father as he turned to reach for a .22 caliber Winchester rifle in a gun rack of the ATV.

According to testimony, the victim was shot in the right cheek and the shot exited through the back of the victim’s head.

Carleton called authorities after he shot his father.

Murray testified both men had cameras and another gun, a Glock .40 caliber pistol wrapped in a towel, was recovered from the victim’s ATV.

Carleton has remained free on a $250,000 bond since his arrest in March.