“Hair trigger” defense of murder in Bibb County
11:36 am, November 9th, 2011
Here is the gripping lead on today’s coverage of a murder trial by Amy Leigh Womack of the Macon Telegraph: “Cynthia Poole was stocking shelves with shampoo, soap and deodorant at Family Dollar on Houston Avenue on April 12 when a masked gunman entered the store. The she heard her manager say, ‘Stay calm, I will give you the money.’”
Sadly, Poole’s testimony Tuesday in Bibb County Superior Court was that the gunman shot her boss anyway. Gary Bennett Cole Jr., 38, died behind the counter, Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Greg Winters said.
Antonio Browner, 20, is on trial for murder, armed robbery and firearm charges. His attorney, Bobby Bearden, has an interesting defense. Bearden contends his client was coerced at gunpoint to do the robbery by 25-year-old Quartez Carter, who was serving as the lookout. The defense blames Carter for the shooting as well because Carter gave Bearden the gun, which happened to have “a hair trigger” and went off by accident.
Indeed, the robbery never happened because the man who was killed was the only employee on duty who knew the combination to the safe.
Contributor: Katheryn Hayes Tucker in Criminal Cases | subscribe to rss | 
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