Ulysses Altland Murder Trial Continues
The murder trial of Ulysses Altland contines, as the jury hears testimony from forensic experts...
Jurors heard opening arguments today in the case of an
Both the defense and prosecution agree that Ulysses Altland did fire shots that night, but the defense is saying he had to in order to protect his family.
The twenty-three-year-old Altland is accused of shooting and killing 40-year-old Brent Washington on March third outside of Wagner's Bar and Grille on West Eighth Street.
During opening arguments today, the Commonwealth, represented by Robert Sambroke and Matthew Collin, told the jury of eight women and four men that quote: "Altland was looking for an excuse to hurt someone." The Commonwealth continued to say: "Doctors tried to save Washington, but there was a catastrophic blood loss due to a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Jet 24 was told that Atland and his family were at Wagner's celebrating their father's birthday, when a fight broke out between Altland and a man named Dwayne Jenkins. Jenkins had called his aunt, Andrea Jones and her boyfriend Brent Washington for support.
Defense attorney Eric Hackwelder explained to the jury: "My client Ulysses Altland and his family were minding their own business when Andrea Jones began punching Altland's girlfriend. The defense continues to say that Brent Washington had begun attacking Altland's sister Monica, who was shot in the arm.
Were told by the defense that Altland didn't fire shots until the fight broke out; but he did it to defend his family. Erie police detectives took the stand and said they found the 9 mm handgun buried in a pile of wood in Altland's backyard. They say the bullets found in Washington did match the gun they found in the backyard.
