Opinion ID: 1168192
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Sanders's Testimony

Text: Sanders gave the following testimony. After devising a plan to rob Wheeler, a drug dealer, Sanders and defendant went to see their friend Carol Brooks on the night of December 8, 1979. Brooks lived in the same apartment building as Wheeler. Defendant was armed with a .357 magnum. Sanders had a .38- or .32-caliber automatic furnished by defendant. Following their visit to Brooks, the two men went to Wheeler's apartment. In response to their knocking, Wheeler, who apparently knew defendant, let them in. Also inside the apartment was a woman (Patrice Brandon). After smoking some marijuana with Wheeler, defendant and Sanders drew their guns. Sanders tied Wheeler and Brandon with belts and socks, put on a pair of gloves, and began to search the apartment for drugs and money. Except for some powder on a saucer which appeared to be cocaine, the search was unsuccessful. Defendant questioned Wheeler, who denied having any drugs or money. Saying he would make Brandon talk, defendant dragged her into the kitchen and closed the door. Sanders remained in the living room with Wheeler. Initially, Sanders heard defendant talking to Brandon and hitting her; later he heard breathing as though they were making love. Shortly thereafter, defendant came out of the kitchen. Through the partially open kitchen door, Sanders saw Brandon's pants around her ankles. Defendant put his gun in Wheeler's mouth. He threatened to kill Wheeler and Brandon unless Wheeler revealed the location of the drugs. Wheeler said the dope was in the attic, and pointed out a trap door leading up to it. Sanders climbed into the attic. While in the attic, Sanders heard two shots. When he came down, defendant told him he had shot Wheeler because the latter had tried to jump out the window. Sanders asked if Wheeler was dead. Defendant responded he was standing right up on Wheeler when he fired the gun. Sanders saw blood on Wheeler's neck and chest. He suggested that they clean the apartment and leave. When Sanders asked about Brandon, defendant replied he had killed her before leaving the kitchen. During the cleanup of the apartment, defendant responded to a knock on the door. Sanders heard the visitor (Ronald Chism) ask if everything was all right and if Wheeler was there. Defendant said Wheeler was home, and invited Chism inside. Defendant then hit Chism on the head, tied him up, and took him into the bathroom. Sanders saw defendant sitting astride Chism's back, joining and separating his clenched fists in a tugging motion, apparently strangling Chism. Sanders could not see what defendant had in his hands. Thereafter, Sanders saw defendant enter the kitchen and choke Brandon with a wire clothes hanger. Defendant and Sanders then left the apartment and drove away. Defendant gave Sanders some money, saying it was all he had found.