CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The trial began Monday for a Nashville man charged with first-degree murder in the 2021 Eagle View Drive fatal shooting.

At about 4 a.m. on March 27, 2021, Clarksville Police responded to a panic alarm at a residence on Eagle View Drive, in a neighborhood just south of Northeast High School. Officers found a man – 40-year-old Trasbin Campbell – dead inside the home, according to previous reports.

John Edward Bean IV, 44, was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, violation of an order of protection and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Prosecution: ‘Obsession that led to murder’

District Attorney General Robert Nash told jurors, “This is a case of obsession that led to murder.”

Nash said Bean had previously been in a 14-year relationship with Erica Lee, who he shares a daughter with. Bean and Lee ended their relationship in September 2020, and she began seeing Campbell. Nash said Bean harassed Lee and threatened Campbell because he believed Campbell was getting in the way of his family. Lee filed for an order of protection.

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Nash told jurors that although the alarm went off the morning of the shooting, there were no signs of forced entry “because the perpetrator used a key.” Nash said the suspect was wearing a black ski mask, but Lee recognized Bean’s voice. Nash told jurors that some evidence from the crime scene was found along Interstate 24 eastbound to Nashville.

A black ski mask and a spare house key were recovered from Bean, he said, adding that the key had Campbell’s blood on it.

Defense: ‘Two sides to every story’

Defense attorney Crystal Lewis told jurors, “There are always two sides to every story.”

Lewis argued that Bean was not obsessed with Lee. “They want you to believe that obsession leads to murder, but we’re going to be honest with you that John is talking to lots of other women,” she said. “Even that night.”

Lewis said Bean were in a on-again, off-again relationship and that they broke up when Campbell was released from prison. She argued that Bean was concerned about his teenage daughter being around Campbell. “How in the world would something like this get his family back?” she asked, adding that Bean fought to maintain time with his daughter.

Lewis also argued that there was a tight window between when the shooting occurred and when Bean was texting another woman from a hotel in Nashville.

Court resumed Tuesday morning at the Montgomery County Courts Center.

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