GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — The trial of three men accused of killing Bradley Coleman at a gas station in July 2022 is nearing its conclusion, as jurors will begin deliberating Tuesday morning.
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Closing arguments wrapped up Monday afternoon, with three defense attorneys for three defendants making final remarks along with the lead prosecutor.
Coleman, 29, died in July 2022 after prosecutors say three people tried to steal his car while he put air in his tire at a Peachtree Corners gas station.
Josiah Hughley confessed to police that he shot Coleman during the incident. However, his attorney argued the case is one of manslaughter, not murder, citing Hughley’s fear for his life.
Hughley told police he never intended to shoot Coleman during the attempted theft of his car, but he “panicked” when Coleman realized a slider crime was taking place, according to an interrogation video played during the trial.
“This is a terrible, terrible situation,” attorney Tracy Drake said, who represents Hughley. “There are parents on this jury. I cannot imagine what Mr. Coleman’s parents are going through, but every homicide is not necessarily murder.”
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Thomas Clegg, the attorney representing Miles Collins, who is accused of being the getaway driver, argued that his client played no role in the shooting.
“The homicide is totally unrelated to anything Miles Collins has done,” Clegg said.
Meanwhile, the attorney for another alleged accomplice, David Booker, attorney questioned the reliability of cell phone location data used by prosecutors to place his client near the crime scene.
“If ‘near’ is two miles and you understand the tower to be out two miles, then yes, my client’s cell phone did ping off the towers,” attorney Lawrence Lewis said.
John Melvin, Gwinnett Chief Assistant District Attorney, told jurors that this was a case about a beloved father and coach killed all because of a car.
“They came prepared to kill,” said Melvin. “We hold people responsible for felonies they commit together.”
After a jury charge was read to jurors by Gwinnett Superior Court Judge Tamela Adkins, jurors opted to return Tuesday morning to begin deliberating.
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