Trial Starts Tuesday In Murder Of Brian Hall At Pay Booth

  • Monday, May 23, 2005

Testimony is due to start on Tuesday morning in the trial of a man charged in connection with the murder of 30-year-old Brian Hall at a pay phone booth.

A jury was picked Monday in the case in which Mario Fulgham is one of three men charged.

Authorities said Fulgham has admitted being the driver in the case in which the victim was gunned down during a late-night crime spree.

Det. Jason Irvin testified earlier that James Westbrook admitted being the triggerman in the July 31, 2003, slaying at the parking lot of the Citgo at 23rd and Hickory.

Westbrook earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and got a 40-year sentence. A third man, Quincy Scott, is also charged.

Det. Irvin said Fulgham was approached by the other two, and he agreed to borrow a car to drive them around on the late-night robbery spree. Fulgham's driver's license was revoked at the time.

The officer said one of the men was armed with an assault rifle and the other with a pump shotgun.

He said they jumped out and robbed Morris Talley near East Lake Courts and fired a shot at him before driving off.

Det. Irvin said Fulgham drove to two other locations for robberies, including the one where Mr. Hall was shot.

He said after the shooting, he dropped the other two off and went an returned the borrowed car.

Det. Irvin said the arrests were made because one of the victims recognized one of the robbers and knew his nickname.

It was testified earlier that Mr. Hall was on a pay phone talking to a female when the robbers came up to him. The female heard the men shout, "Give it up." She heard a ruckus, then the line went dead.

The victim was shot once and had wounds in the back and chest.

Officers found the phone was dangling off the hook, and the victim was lying in the parking lot. A passerby saw the body and called 911. A rifle shellcase was found near the body.

Judge Jon Blackwood is hearing the case in the place of Judge Steve Bevil, who is ill.


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