Two of three accused in murder testify

Two of the three men charged in connection with the murder of a Jefferson City man in February 2015 were called to testify in the murder trial of the man charged with pulling the trigger in the case.

Vincent Smith, 27, of Jefferson City, and Robert Burks, 25, of Jefferson City, took most of Tuesday afternoon being questioned during the trial of Charles Thompson, 19, of St. Louis.

Of the three, Thompson is accused of actually shooting and killing Johnny Evans, 52, during a robbery at Evans' residence in the 1100 block of East High Street.

All three are facing second-degree murder charges, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted, along with additional counts in this case.

Cole County Assistant Prosecutors Aaron Maness and Scott Stacy had Smith and Burks tell jurors both had agreed to testify in this case. While neither has had their charges reduced yet, it is possible this could happen in an agreement both reached with the prosecution.

Prior to the robbery, Smith said he called Thompson and told him he had a "lick" for him, meaning a robbery.

Smith said they had heard from people in the neighborhood that Evans had money and drugs at his residence, so they thought they would go there.

Smith said he told Thompson to get a gun from another individual to pull off the robbery.

Smith admitted to police he kicked in a rear door to Evans' apartment to gain entry. Smith said he heard a loud bang, looked toward Thompson who was holding a gun and saw Thompson shoot Evans a second time. Smith said he got scared and ran out of the house.

Evans managed to make his way to a neighbor's apartment to report he'd been shot. Evans collapsed and was unconscious before police arrived on the scene. He was taken to a local hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Smith said Burks drove him and Thompson to Evans' residence.

Burks said he and his 4-month-old were in his car on Dulle Street, preparing to go to the store when Smith and Thompson approached them, asking for a ride.

Burks said he agreed to give the pair a ride. On the way to Evans' residence, Burks said he saw Thompson had a handgun.

Burks said he parked on Olive Street, and Thompson and Smith exited Burks' car.

After tending to his child, Burks started to leave the area but then saw Smith and Thompson running toward him.

They both got back into the vehicle and Burks drove away, heading back to the Elizabeth Street area where Smith and Thompson live.

Thompson's attorney, Public Defender David Wallis, focused on interviews Smith and Burks had with Jefferson City Police Detective Mark Edwards. He noted there were several discrepancies in what they said happened and didn't happen during those interviews.

He also noted there were several times both men essentially asked Edwards what they needed to do to help themselves out of their situation.

"You've got other charges against you, and didn't your parole officer recommend the last time you were in court that your probation should be revoked and you be sent back to jail?" Wallis asked Burks.

"I don't have a choice," Burks replied.

"Didn't you tell Detective Edwards, "All I want to do is make it home?'" Wallis asked Smith.

"Maybe," Smith replied.

"What happens if you don't tell the truth while you testify at this trial?" Maness asked both men.

"We don't get a deal," they replied.

Maness also noted this offer doesn't affect other cases Smith and Burks were charged in, and if it was found they were untruthful at this trial, the charges, including murder, would stay against them.

"Who shot Johnny Evans?" Stacy asked.

"Charles Thompson," Smith said.

Other witnesses called to the stand included Jefferson City Police Narcotics Detective Greg Bestgen who told the jury how he made contact with some of his confidential informants to try and get leads that could help in the murder investigation.

Bestgen said a male informant did give him information that led to an apartment on Elizabeth Street where the individual who was believed to have supplied the gun used in the shooting was staying.

Officers went to the apartment and caught this individual after he had fled out a rear door of the residence.

This arrest and more information from Bestgen's informant led to Thompson and the others being taken into custody.

Wallis cross examined Bestgen and noted Bestgen did not provide any of his written reports that would show his informant had given the information Bestgen said led them to making Thompson a suspect.

"Many times, the information you get is not for free, is it?" Wallis asked.

"I did reveal there was a reward for information," Bestgen said.

Wallis also asked how accurate the information Bestgen's informant had given him was in the past.

"I can say in the 15-20 cases I've used this informant's information, it has been 100 percent accurate," Bestgen said. "I'm not going to give out information that would hurt my informant."

Also on the witness stand was Brittney Hawkins, who had met Thompson a few days before the shooting on Facebook.

She told jurors they met for the first time, face to face, the day before the shooting.

Hawkins said Thompson picked her up and brought her from Columbia to Jefferson City. While at the apartment where they were staying, she said, she saw Thompson leave numerous times with a gun, which he had retrieved from a closet and took with him. Each time, she said, he would bring it back and put it under a couch.

The two had planned to go to St. Louis, but those plans were canceled, she said. On the day of the shooting, Hawkins said she stayed at the apartment while Thompson and others living there went out.

Eventually, she said, she had Thompson take her back to Columbia. She said this was because she didn't approve of the use of drugs she saw going on while at the apartment.

Hawkins also said she did communicate with Thompson who had gone onto St. Louis after he dropped her off in Columbia.

When cross examined by Wallis, Hawkins said she didn't notice any difference in how Thompson acted when he came back to the apartment after the time the murder was to have taken place.

Jefferson City Police Detective Curtis Fink testified how they were able to track down the phones of Thompson and Smith and both showed they had contacted each other.

In cross examination, Wallis noted none of the communication between the two indicated they were planning to commit a crime.

The trial is expected to continue through Thursday.


Earlier coverage: Testimony begins in teen's murder trial