Opinion ID: 1434436
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Actual Defense Witnesses and Uncalled Witnesses

Text: The defense called three witnesses to testify at trial on Armstrong's behalf. First, the defense recalled Felicia who previously told a police officer she heard Armstrong's gun make a clicking sound. Armstrong's defense counsel may have been attempting to show Armstrong's gun was not the same type of gun as the gun used to shoot the three victims at C.J.'s nightclub. The second witness, Tonya Williamson (Tonya), Jones's niece, saw part of the argument between Diane and Terrell. Tonya also explained how other bar patrons became involved in the altercation, and she heard Rosie encouraging her sons to fight. Tonya stated that during the argument, her uncle pushed everyone outside and ordered Tonya and her sister to go back inside, and they hid behind the bar. Tonya did not see anyone with a gun inside the bar that night, but she knew her uncle kept a gun at the bar. Armstrong was the third and final witness for the defense. Armstrong testified he went to Hayti Heights, Missouri, with Solomon, Antwon, Tyreese, and Brown to visit Antwon's and Tyreese's cousins. Armstrong referred to Solomon, Antwon, and Tyreese as his brothers. Armstrong explained the group went to Channelle's residence, played ball, slept, and then decided to go out. Armstrong and his brothers went to C.J.'s, where his brothers were drinking real heavy, and could not drive. Armstrong stated he only had a couple of drinks, so he went to pick up Channelle, Terrell, Devonne, Diane, and Diane Vaughn, and brought them back to C.J.'s. Armstrong admitted there was a hole in the car dashboard where the radio should have been, but Armstrong denied having a gun in the radio compartment. Armstrong also denied observing an argument inside the nightclub. Armstrong said he was having a conversation with Jones, when Jones exclaimed, [W]ait a minute, got up, and ran past Armstrong to the back of the bar. Armstrong described how all the club patrons rushed outside. Armstrong did not know where his brothers were, so he started calling for them, and then he heard Tyreese's voice outside. Armstrong slipped through the people crowded at the door, and was still standing in the club when Armstrong asked Tyreese what was happening. Tyreese said, man, they all here tripping. Armstrong claimed he tried to encourage Tyreese to just let it go, when a man behind Armstrong said, get out, get out, get out, and showed Armstrong a gun. Armstrong does not know who the man was, and said the man did not testify. Armstrong claimed he had never seen a gun before, so he put his hands in the air and said, okay, man, let me get my coat. Armstrong grabbed his coat and walked backwards outside. Armstrong testified he saw Tyreese, Diane, and Antwon standing eight to fifteen feet from the door, while Diane and Terrell were arguing with some other people. Armstrong stated he asked Tyreese what was going on and tried to calm Tyreese down by stating, we didn't come down here for that, let's go. Armstrong said Tyreese stopped arguing and responded, all right, let's go. Armstrong described how he walked over to get Antwon, but Antwon was engaged in an argument in another area of the parking lot and refused to leave. Armstrong reported he began walking toward Carlos, but Michael cut Armstrong off and stated, I advise you to get your brothers. Armstrong testified, the man had his hands in his pockets and the way he looked at me, he made a straight eye contact. . . . And at that time I felt that maybe he had a gun on him. Armstrong stated he backed away from Michael and walked to Antwon who was telling the crowd he would fight them all. The crowd approached them and Antwon asked, What's up? Armstrong claims someone responded, this is what's up, and started shooting. Armstrong ran to the car, but it was stuck in the mud. As the group tried to get the car out of the mud, the same person started shooting again, so they ran to 108 North Martin Luther King Drive to hide. Armstrong insisted he did not brandish a gun at C.J.'s nightclub, and he did not shoot Carlos, Devonne, or Yolanda. During cross-examination, the prosecutor asked, are you saying you saw somebody shoot, but you don't know who they were? Armstrong responded, I never saw a gun. The only thing I saw was the shots, well, when the fire come out of it just fired and I ducked and ran. Armstrong testified Antwon, Solomon, Tyreese, and Brown returned to Milwaukee sometime after the shooting. Armstrong noted that, while he was incarcerated, Devonne and J. went to Milwaukee to stay with Armstrong's brother and Armstrong spoke to Devonne and J. on the telephone.
On January 20, 2009, the district court held Armstrong's habeas corpus hearing, and two of Armstrong's out-of-state witnesses testified. [7] Solomon, Armstrong's biological brother, was the first witness. Solomon testified his foster brother, Antwon, wanted to go to Hayti Heights, Missouri, to visit family, so Solomon, Armstrong, Antwon, Tyreese, and Brown traveled together. Solomon claimed he did not see anyone in the car with a firearm. Solomon stated they went to 108 North Martin Luther King Drive, which Solomon believed was the home of Diane Davis. That night, the group decided to go to C.J.'s nightclub, and while they were at the nightclub, a fight broke out between Diane and Terrell. Solomon walked over to the fight with Antwon, but Armstrong remained seated at the table. Solomon stated the bouncer had a firearm and asked Solomon's party to leave. Solomon reported he heard Rosie encourage Carlos and Terrell to fight. Solomon went outside and Antwon, Tyreese, and the McGees followed. Armstrong was still inside the bar getting his jacket. Solomon walked over to his car and tried to get the car out of the mud. Solomon claims it was so dark outside he could only see approximately five feet in front of him. When Solomon could not get his car out of the mud, he went back and forth from his brothers to his car a couple of times, trying to get them to help him. Solomon was walking back to his car when he heard the gunshots. Solomon testified the gunshots came from the area of the parking lot where the McGees and my family was actually standing. Solomon could not see the people because it was too dark. Solomon then stated, [W]hen I the heard the gunshots, I immediately kind of took cover behind my car to see what was going on, and that's when pretty much everybody just scattered. Solomon heard between five and twelve shots, and never saw anyone with a gun, but he did see the gun flash. Again, Solomon testified the flash came from near the front entrance of the bar where the McGees and also my family were standing. Solomon does not recall Armstrong in that area. Solomon maintains Armstrong and the three other men joined Solomon at his car and tried to push the car out of the mud, when someone started shooting at them. When the men could not get the car extracted, the group ran to North Martin Luther King Drive, past the men who were shooting at them. Solomon stated they went to either Channelle's or Diane's house. While they were at the residence on North Martin Luther King Drive, someone shot at the house. The men turned off the lights and hid in a hallway where there was no phone to call for help. Solomon testified there was a series of three drive-by shootings, and during the last drive-by shooting, Officer Hayes was shot. Solomon, Armstrong, Tyreese, and Antwon were arrested. Solomon said, the next morning everyone but Armstrong was released, and Solomon and the others eventually returned to Milwaukee. Solomon explained, before Armstrong's trial, Armstrong's defense attorney called Solomon and asked him to testify on Armstrong's behalf. Solomon told Armstrong's counsel he had no money or method of transportation, and counsel told him to borrow the money and she would reimburse him. Solomon said he would have attended Armstrong's trial if he had the means. During cross examination, Solomon again stated Armstrong did not know about the fight between Diane and Terrell, and Armstrong was still inside the bar when Solomon and the others walked outside, followed by the McGees. Solomon claimed he was in his car trying to get it out of the mud when the shots were fired. The prosecutor asked, So you were in the car, working it back and forth or whatever, at the time you heard the shots? Solomon replied, Yes. Solomon again indicated the shots were coming from the front entrance of the bar. The prosecutor clarified that Armstrong had been inside the bar and later exited the front entrance of the bar, which is where the shots came from. Solomon stated he saw a flash from the area near the front entrance of the bar, but he did not identify who fired the gun. Solomon then took cover either behind or on the side of his car when the shots were fired. Solomon asserted he continued to take cover until Armstrong pulled him and they started to run. Solomon did not see Armstrong until after the shots were fired and Armstrong ran to the car. Solomon again testified he never saw the shooter. Armstrong's foster brother, Antwon, also testified at Armstrong's habeas corpus hearing. At the time of the hearing, Antwon was incarcerated for a 1999 controlled substance conviction. Antwon testified he was sentenced to serve over sixteen years imprisonment. Antwon explained he did not have any convictions at the time of Armstrong's trial. Antwon reported that on January 6, 1996, Antwon, Armstrong, Solomon, Tyreese, and Brown drove to his cousin Diane's home in Hayti Heights, Missouri. Antwon testified various people came over to Diane's home that day, including Diane's boyfriend Terrell, whom Antwon knew from previous visits and considered to be a friend. Antwon testified he left for C.J.'s nightclub with Armstrong, Solomon, Tyreese, and Brown. Antwon stated Diane and Terrell met them at the club later. After a time in the nightclub, Antwon saw a commotion in the front of the club, and when he asked what was going on, Terrell got defensive. Tyreese said Terrell slapped Diane, so Antwon confronted Terrell. Antwon told Terrell they should take it outside, so Antwon walked out and Terrell and his family followed. Antwon testified he was under the influence of alcohol to the point it made [him] do things that [he] normally wouldn't do in character, for example, he felt more aggressive. Antwon was ready to fight and the crowd gathered around him. Brown notified Antwon's friends and family in the bar that Antwon was going to get jumped, so his brothers, including Armstrong, came outside to stand by him. Antwon said he never saw a gun inside the bar, and outside the bar it was real dark. Antwon testified Rosie was encouraging Carlos and Terrell to fight, while Solomon, Armstrong, Tyreese, and Brown were next to Antwon trying to calm him down. Armstrong told Antwon to let it go and said, They got guns, man. Antwon testified he did not see anyone with a firearm. Armstrong tried to grab Antwon, but Antwon resisted, and that is when Antwon heard the gunshots. Antwon stated he and his group were standing facing the bar, while the McGees were standing facing the road. Antwon asserted he turned around and saw fire from gunshots as the shots were fired from the street toward the direction of the club. Antwon testified he ran to their car, which was stuck in the mud, and put the car in reverse, but the wheels were just spinning. Antwon said Solomon was in the car with him, while Armstrong, Tyreese, and Brown were outside of the car. When the men could not get the car out, they jumped out of the car and began to run toward the road. Antwon stated they ran inside Channelle's house. Antwon claimed he called his aunt and told her someone was shooting at them. The police arrived and ordered Antwon and his three brothers to lie on the floor. While they were being arrested, an officer was shot and fell on top of them. Antwon described how someone walked into the house where they were lying, pointed at them, and said they were the men at the nightclub that night. Armstrong, Solomon, Antwon, and Tyreese were then arrested. Antwon also testified that before Armstrong's trial, Antwon was contacted by an investigator for Armstrong's attorney. Antwon does not recall whether the investigator asked Antwon to testify at Armstrong's trial. Antwon stated, if he had been asked to testify, he would have, but only [i]f they would have made the arrangements to get [him] there and protect [him], because he was afraid for his life. During cross-examination, Antwon denied telling an investigator from the attorney general's office that the shots came from directly behind him and to the right. After Antwon testified, the state called Thomas, an investigator with the Public Safety Unit of the Missouri Attorney General's Office. Thomas conducted an interview of Antwon on January 6, 2009, at the Federal Correctional Center where Antwon was housed. Thomas asked Antwon about the shooting, and Antwon said he was outside the club at the time of the shooting. Antwon stated Armstrong was standing behind and to the right of Antwon. When Thomas asked Antwon where the shots came from, Antwon explained, [T]he shots came from right here, and gestured behind him and to the right. Antwon insisted Armstrong was not the shooter and said, I know for a fact he wasn't the shooter and that he did not have a gun with him. Thomas asked Antwon if he would have returned to Missouri if Antwon had been subpoenaed. Antwon replied he would not have returned because he was afraid of getting shot.