Opinion ID: 1434436
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Actual Defense 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.