The state’s case against one of the three men charged with murder in the death of Vann Brown wrapped up its first day of testimony this afternoon, with a total of 12 witnesses taking the stand on their behalf.
Court began shortly after 10:00 a.m., with both the prosecution and Anderson’s attorney, Robert Walker, presenting opening statements to the jury.
DouglasNow reported earlier this afternoon that Cam Coffee and Annsley Coffee were the first two witnesses to take the stand, with both being questioned by Assistant District Attorney John Rumker and Walker.
Court resumed around 1:00 p.m. after an hour lunch break, with ten witnesses being called upon by the state. The witnesses included individuals who were at the wedding reception at Jeffery Harper’s home on the night Brown’s death occurred, including Matt Lewis, J.P. Harper, Kelli Harper, and Kate Malphus.
Other individuals who took the stand were Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Jason Nipper, GBI Crime Scene Specialist Chad Lott, Victoria Davis, Coffee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) investigator Chris Wilson, CCSO investigator Jeremy Anderson, CCSO Lt. Detective Jamie Hersey, and Victoria Davis, a paramedic who was dispatched to the scene that night.
Judge Kelly Brooks adjourned court around 4:00 p.m., with the trial set to continue Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m.
GBI Medical Examiner Maryanne Gaffney-Kraft, the pathologist who performed the autopsy on Brown, will take the stand Wednesday morning. The state is expected to call three to four more witnesses on day two of the trial.
Once the state rests its case, the defense will begin calling witnesses, which is expected to take place Wednesday.
Anderson is currently facing a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole. He is the first of three defendants to be tried for murder in Brown’s death, with his brother, Jason, set to stand trial next, followed by Jeffery Harper.
Details of witness testimony and a full recap of the trial will be published following the completion of the proceedings. DouglasNow will continue to give updates throughout the week and will post the verdict when it is announced.