General Sessions Court Judge Lila Statom said the state of Tennessee will have a “tough case” in trying to convict a Chattanooga man who allegedly fired two fatal bullets at the now-closed Coyote Jacks.
On Oct. 6, what was characterized as a “large altercation” broke out at the club as it was being closed. Police reported there were shots fired close to patrol officers. Brandon Rogers was fatally wounded during the altercation.
Jamycal Johnson, 24, was considered the prime suspect and was soon arrested.
Investigator Zach Crawford recounted the events of the night. After a concert left the nightclub overcrowded, police told everyone to leave. Using photos from the location, investigator Crawford pointed out where the fight took place, which was a patio near one of the exits.
Involved in the fight were four people, all dressed in some kind of red and white clothing. The investigator was able to find a video on Facebook showing the seconds leading up to, and then of, Rogers being shot. In it, a man wearing a red jacket, a white shirt, and white shoes was seen moving on the patio with his back to the camera. He then drew something out of his pocket. Shots rang out, and he ran away from the scene.
Before shots were fired, four of Johnson’s friends were engaged in a melee with Rogers. After the shooting, police ran in and detained the four friends, who were all wearing some sort of red clothing. None of them said they knew who shot Rogers.
Investigator Crawford said he found a Facebook live video on one of the friend’s accounts, and Jamycal Johnson was present. In black and white video from inside Coyote Jacks from a few minutes prior, Johnson could be seen with the group. However, in this video, he was not wearing a jacket nor was he holding one. In the video of the shooting, the man was wearing a jacket. Johnson said he gave his jacket to a female friend at some point in the night.
Another officer later found Johnson’s ID on the ground on the patio, and Investigator Crawford told Judge Statom body camera footage existed of the officer finding the ID. When police interviewed Johnson, he admitted to being at Coyote Jacks. However, Johnson said he did not shoot Rogers.
“He said he ran from the location when the fight broke out,” said investigator Crawford.
Defense attorney Mike Little stressed the fact there was only a shell casing found on scene, and the fact that the shooter’s face was never seen in the video of the shooting. He also said he couldn’t see a gun in the supposedly damning video, nor had any of the five other officers identified the shooter.
“Judge Statom, the only evidence is that they found his ID, and he was with people dressed in red,” said attorney Little.
Prosecutor Andrew Coyle stressed that the only person dressed in white shoes and red pants was Johnson, and his build and age were consistent with the person in the video. Lastly, the person was seen leaving the scene after shots were discharged. Prosecutor Coyle also emphasized the gang affiliation of all involved, and how the fight was most likely gang-related. However, these remarks by the witness and attorneys were considered borderline hearsay.
“There is clearly probable cause he is the shooter of Brandon Rogers,” said prosecutor Coyle.
Judge Statom decided to bind Johnson over to the Grand Jury, but acknowledged that the case against the defendant was anything but airtight. While there were originally going to be three witnesses at the preliminary hearing, only one of the three actually testified for reasons unknown.
“It’s going to be a tough case for the state of Tennessee,” said Judge Statom, “With the evidence presented today, you could not convict him in a jury trial.”
Prosecutor Coyle noted the state was not required to present enough evidence to convict a defendant during a preliminary hearing, only enough to prove probable cause.
The court also held a short bond hearing. A relative said he could live with him. He said his family could not pay the $1.5 million bond, but could pay $50,000.
Attorney Little called the evidence “weak” and said it would be a “tragedy” for his client to sit in jail after the state had produced such meager proof. Coyle and the judge both noted Johnson’s pending firearm-related charge, which he is already out on bond for.
After a short deliberation, Judge Statom put the bond at $125,000, with the condition he live with the relative. If he is able to make bond, Johnson would also be able to continue to work, it was stated.