GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — An interrogation video played during trial provided a glimpse into the mindset of Josiah Hughley, the 22-year-old accused of killing coach and father Bradley Coleman at a Peachtree Corners gas station in 2022.
“Everything just fell out of place,” Hughley said during the interview with Gwinnett County detectives in September 2022.
Hughley admitted to shooting Coleman, claiming it was an act of self-defense as he attempted to steal Coleman’s car in July 2022.
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“That isn’t how it was supposed to go,” Hughley said. “The only reason that stuff happened was because I was in fear. I know he got a gun.”
Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson was in the courtroom as attorneys played a video where Hughley described the moments leading up to the shooting, saying he believed Coleman was going to shoot him.
“I was like, he’s going to grab his gun, he’s going to shoot me,” Hughley said. “Even though I told him [I was going to leave], I know what he’s gonna do, he’s gonna shoot me.”
Hughley, along with co-defendants David Booker and Miles Collins, is on trial for murder. Prosecutors allege the three were connected to the Bloods gang, pointing to tattoos on the suspects as evidence of gang affiliation.
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Defense attorneys argued against the interpretation of the tattoos, suggesting prosecutors were making unfounded assumptions.
Although Hughley claimed self-defense, prosecutors contend the shooting occurred during an alleged felony, leading to murder charges.
“I didn’t mean to do it, I was panicking,” Hughley told detectives.
The prosecution rested their case Friday evening. Jurors are expected to return Monday morning, possibly to begin deliberating.
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