CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – After five days of testimony and about two hours of deliberation, a Montgomery County jury convicted John Edward Bean IV of first-degree murder in the 2021 Eagle View Drive killing of Trasbin Campbell.

Bean, 44, was found guilty on multiple counts: first-degree murder, first-degree murder in perpetration of a crime, employing a firearm, aggravated assault and theft up to $1,000. He also was found guilty of the lesser included offense of attempted electronic tracking of a motor vehicle.

Prosecution: ‘Obsession which led to murder’

District Attorney General Robert Nash held up pieces of evidence as he walked jurors through the events of March 27, 2021.

Nash reminded jurors of the testimony from Erica Lee, Campbell’s girlfriend and Bean’s ex-girlfriend, who said she recognized Bean’s eyes and voice during the attack. She described the intruder as wearing a black ski mask, black clothing and gloves.

Nash also pointed to forensic testimony showing particles consistent with gunshot residue on Bean’s ski mask, a black Levi hoodie and a black latex glove recovered from his car.

He recounted testimony of Bean’s daughter, Jonae, who said her father told her the day before the killing to bring her house key when she came to visit him. After Lee dropped her off with Bean, he drove her to his parents’ home, where he retrieved black clothing.

| NEWS TIPS: Do you have a local news tip? Email news@clarksvillenow.com or call us at 931-648-7720.

“Once they got to the hotel, he left the black clothing in the car,” Nash told jurors. He showed them Jonae’s spare key, which tested positive for Campbell’s blood. “There’s been no evidence of forced entry at Eagles View Drive because Mr. Bean had the key,” he said.

Nash also highlighted the trail of evidence found along Interstate 24 eastbound toward Nashville, including Lee’s cellphone and the knife used in the killing. He reminded jurors of the DNA matches presented earlier in the trial.

“This was obsession,” he said. “So much so that Erica Lee had to get an order of protection against Mr. Bean.”

Nash said the medical examiner testified that Campbell sustained four gunshot wounds and four stab wounds. “That’s the rage,” he said, adding that Bean sent messages saying he would do anything to get his family back.

Defense attorney: It was mistaken identity

Attorney Crystal Lewis told jurors Bean was wrongfully accused. “This is a case of mistaken identification. John Bean has been falsely accused,” she said.

Lewis pointed to Lee’s testimony that she had been celebrating her birthday the night before the killing and had a few drinks. She argued that Lee misidentified Bean in a dark room at around 3:39 a.m., when the crime took place.

“Sometimes we believe something is one way because we expect it to be. But it isn’t,” she said.

Lewis argued that the black clothing and latex gloves found Bean’s car were part of his work uniform. She also noted that the intruder kicked Campbell in the face, but Bean’s shoes had no blood on them. “You’re going to get blood on your shoe,” she said. “It’s impossible not to.”

| NEWS ALERTS: To get free breaking news alerts on your phone, text the word NEWS to 43414.

Lewis said Bean was not obsessed with Lee. “They want you to believe this was a complete obsession,” she said. “But listen – he’s talking to other people.” 

She also argued the timeline was too tight for Bean to be responsible. Hotel surveillance showed Bean driving out of the parking lot around 2:36 a.m. and returning around 4:28 a.m. Lee’s alarm system showed the back door closing for the last time at 3:46 a.m. The hotel was about 55.8 miles from the Eagle View Drive residence. “How fast does he have to be going?” she asked.

Lewis also argued that the placement of the stab wound suggested the killer was left-handed, while Bean is right-handed. She pointed out that despite a bloody crime scene, no blood was found on Bean’s belongings or in the hotel room, aside from the blood on Jonae’s key.

“They have the wrong person,” she said. “Mr. Bean is falsely accused.”

Verdict and sentencing, life in prison minimum

Jurors began deliberations Tuesday morning and returned the verdict only a couple of hours later.

Under state law, first-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence. Employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony carries a minimum of 6 years.

Aggravated assault is a Class C felony and is punishable by 3 to 15 years in prison. Theft up to $1,000 and attempted electronic tracking of a motor vehicle are Class A misdemeanors and each punishable up to 11 months and 29 days in jail.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 16 at the Montgomery County Courts Center.

| DON’T MISS A LOCAL STORY: Sign up for the free daily Clarksville Now email newsletter