MURDER TRIAL Jailhouse Snitch Takes Stand In Charleston Murder Trial
Reported by: Kallie Cart
Videographer: Matt Durrett
Web Producer: Kallie Cart
Reported: Feb. 14, 2012 6:58 PM EST
Updated: Feb. 14, 2012 7:14 PM EST
Eyewitness News Photo
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
A man killed all because of a marijuana drug debt, that's the case prosecutors laid out Tuesday as a Charleston murder trial got underway.
Prosecutors say Brandon Gray was told to "take care" of Timothy Thompson who they say owed money on a marijuana drug debt. They say Gray did that by luring Thompson to First Avenue on Charleston's West Side and shooting and killing him in a dark alley.
A man who heard the shots testified he saw two men walk into the secluded area about 10 minutes apart, but he couldn't tell who they were. He says shots were fired as soon as the second man arrived.
Gray's jail cellmate was also called to the stand and told jurors, Gray admitted to the murder. Ernest Young laid out in great detail what he says Gray told him happened on that night back in June.
Young is currently facing murder charges for allegedly beating to death an 81 year old man in Cedar Grove.
Prosecutors did not cut a deal with Young to testify, but the defense argued his taking the stand is opportunistic. The prosecutor and judge in Gray's case are also assigned to Young's case. And in letters to police, Young said he hoped to get a bond by helping out. Young also said in those letters he wanted to be part of the team, when asked what team, he said, "The team of justice."
Young has never been granted bond, even though he asked for it in those letters. The trial will continue Wednesday.
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Kallie Cart
