CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – After breaking down on the stand and admitting to firing the gun, Timothy “True” Hutcherson was found guilty today on all eight counts, including second-degree murder, for the shooting death of 21-year-old Devonte Wilkerson.
Before closing arguments and sending the jury to deliberate, today’s proceedings started with testimony from Hutcherson himself, in which he admitted firing the deadly shots.
The defense called its client, and Hutcherson provided yet another version of the story he initially told Detective Michael Ulrey immediately after the shooting.
During that first interview, he told Ulrey that someone was behind him standing in the grassy area in front of the apartment on Beech Street. Hutcherson said this person was a “Hoover,” a member of a rival gang, and that was who shot at the door, killing Wilkerson and injuring a teenage girl.
The prosecution told Clarksville Now this statement made it the “Hoover on the grassy knoll” trial.
After telling him that story, Ulrey told Hutcherson, “It would have been better for you if you had just said there was a Hoover standing in front of the door.”
So that’s the story he then told Ulrey.
While being examined by his own defense, Hutcherson admitted that both versions of the story were lies. He then began crying on the stand.
“I wasn’t aiming, I was just shooting to get out of there and protect me and my friend,” Hutcherson said.
After closing arguments, the jury deliberated for only an hour.
They handed down guilty verdicts on all the charges: one count of second-degree murder, followed by two counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of possessing a firearm with intent while committing a felony, and two counts of aggravated assault.
Prosecutor Lee Willoughby said he wanted to thank the jury. Jacob Fendley, Hutcherson’s lawyer, did not have a comment.
Wilkerson’s family said they were relieved that justice had finally been served.
“My baby is able to rest, and be peaceful,” said Linda Foster, Wilkerson’s mother. “Justice has been served.”
“He came from a beautiful family, a loving family, a supportive family. His structure, and his mentality, his integrity, his character, and his morals dictated no less. He has everything, and had everything to live for. Timothy Hutcherson took that from him, and he took him from us,” Foster said.
Hutcherson’s sentencing has been scheduled for Nov. 10.