CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The state rested its case against Timothy “True” Hutcherson on Wednesday, but not before airing out last-minute bombshells.

Day 3 of the “Hoover on the Grassy Knoll” trial kicked off with hearing the audio of a call made Tuesday night from Hutcherson to his mother.

Lead detective on the case Michael Ulrey testified about the significance of the call. About nine minutes in, Hutcherson tells his mother it was good that Jayan Forrest wasn’t coming to testify. 

Clarksville Police identified Forrest Tuesday as a material witness who had yet to be located, and Ulrey confirmed that Forrest was the passenger who was in the car with Hutcherson at the time of the shooting.

The defendant at this point looked visibly nervous: hanging his head, shaking his leg, and twiddling his thumbs.

Then, two minutes after that statement, Hutcherson’s mom asks him if he wants Forrest at the trial. 

“Hell nah,” Hutcherson’s voice could be heard saying. He continued, saying that if Forrest was coming, he needed to make sure his story matches up to that of the defendant. 

An hour later, Clarksville Police had located Jayan Forrest, and he was booked at the Montgomery County Jail, and later was brought in to testify.

Two versions of events

In the meantime, Ulrey went over the inconsistencies between Forrest’s and Hutcherson’s stories. There were three versions of the events on Nov. 11 that led to the death of Devonte Wilkerson and the shooting of a then-14-year-old-girl who is now 17.

The story Hutcherson initially told detectives was that after he arrived to the party, a member of the “Hoover” gang came through the dark area on the back area of the apartment. This Hoover then began shooting from the grassy knoll on top of the wall facing the apartment.

Ulrey testified that this version of the events was not compatible with the physical evidence found at the scene. At this point, a victim’s family member stormed out of the courtroom.

After the lunch recess, the court returned to hear testimony from Forrest. The state first played the video of Forrest’s initial interview with Ulrey, in which he said there was no one else outside of the apartment when he and Hutcherson arrived.

Forrest admitted that his story has since changed. When asked about that statement by the prosecution in front of the jury, he said that there were girls outside, along with other people at the party.

As the discourse became heated, prosecutor Lee Willoughby asked Forrest, “Do you see that woman sitting there in the black and white?”

Forrest said he did see her, and she was instructed to stand up. 

“That is Devonte’s mother. So for her, and for the jury, was there anyone outside of that apartment?”

“Yes sir,” Forrest said.

The state rested its case, and will return Thursday to hear closing arguments and begin deliberation.