Defendant admits to killing on the witness stand in gang murder trial

A criminal court jury is deliberating the fate of two Chattanooga gang members on trial for first degree murder.

Testimony ended Thursday morning..and the jury began deliberating at mid-afternoon.

WDEF News 12's Bill Mitchell is live from the courts building with the latest in our top local story.

The key witness in this trial was on the stand Thursday morning.

Timothy "Timboo" Evans took the stand to admit the crime..and to point the finger at his co-defendant...Michael "Mike Mike" Daniel for ordering him to do it.

The theme of this murder trial was actually gang violence. Testimony tied both of the defendants to the Skyline Bloods...who police say operate from the Emma Wheeler homes. Michael Daniels was the acknowledged leader..or the OG..while Timothy Evans was his second in command.

Witnesses testified that Daniels had felt dis-respected when his sister's home had been shot up the day before the June 13, 2006 killing of 26 year old Adrian Patton on 48th street as he sat in his truck. Witnesses sat Daniels thought Patton was responsible for the shooting at the sister's home.

Evans took the stand today and admitted his part in the slaying.

TIMOTHY "TIMBOO" EVANS testifies "after that, Mr. Daniels walked to the back and I looked at him and like..he said 'kill that N'..and I immediately walked to the front..pulled out my gun and started shooting."

The question posed to the jury was whether Daniels ordered the 17 year old Evans to do it. Evans admitted loading thqat weapon ahead of time and being ready...but he testified that he did it out of fear of Daniels..and later regretted his actions.

TIMOTHY: "when I realized what I had done..I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat..my conscious eating at me."

Prosecutors discounted defense efforts to minimize the first degree murder charges..or to shift blame from one of the defendants to the other.

NEIL "Mike-Mike says "handle that Piru..handle that ..Kill that man..he obviously had an intent."

The entire three day trial was overshadowed by the gang aspects..and authorities set-up unprecedented security measures for those attending and those friends and family members waiting outside.

A scuffle broke out at the noon break today..and sheriff's deputies are taking on chances with spontaneous violence after the verdict.