CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A key witness testified Wednesday in the trial of Rasheem Lewis and Timothy Ogburn, both charged with premeditated first-degree murder in the 2018 death of 21-year-old Julian Torres.
Torres’ body was found in the street behind Bob’s Discount Tobacco Store on Providence Boulevard after a shooting the night of May 20, 2018. He died as a result of gunshot wounds to his arm, buttocks and back.
‘I was trying to save his life’
The trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse began Tuesday, with both men pleading not guilty.
On the night of the incident, Clarksville Police Officer Andrew Trescott responded to a hit-and-run wreck call. After speaking with Julian Torres and his then-girlfriend, the officer tried to examine the tobacco store’s security footage for evidence.
According to Trescott, Torres began to walk toward his apartment complex.
“I sat in my car to work on paperwork and heard gunshots,” Trescott said.
The officer rushed to the location of the shots behind the store and found Torres screaming on the street. Trescott administered aid and was unable to identify the vehicle that sped off.
“I was trying to save his life,” Trescott said.
Torres died from his injuries at the hospital.
Key witness from inside car
Surveillance footage revealed a vehicle came from behind and someone inside shot Torres.
Jamonte Pinkston took the stand Wednesday and claimed to be one of three people in the car that night.
“We turned down Plum Street, turned the lights off. When we got down towards the end of the street, (Ogburn) started shooting (Julian),” Pinkston said.
“I saw him kill (Julian) that night.”
According to Pinkston, Lewis was driving the vehicle and Ogburn was sliding from one side to the other in the back. Pinkston sat in front of Ogburn in the passenger seat.
Call for acquittal denied
Lewis and Ogburn’s defense attorneys, Chase Smith and Gordon Rahn, questioned the truthfulness of Pinkston’s account.
The defense requested an acquittal, citing a lack of corroboration of Pinkston’s testimony. Judge William R. Goodman III declined the request, and Lewis and Ogburn waived their right to testify.
The defense begins their case Thursday.