http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/i...could_tell_you_she_di.html#incart_river_indexJurors sat in disbelief Wednesday, as prosecutors told them the man on trial before them shot and killed a young mother during a Facebook live broadcast for no apparent reason.
"In a matter of seconds, she became the victim of a senseless murder, said Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Katie Hawkins. "Most people use social media for good things, but this defendant's perversion of social media ruins what it is about."
Anthony Gelia, 20, is charged with one count each of open murder, first-degree home invasion and felony firearms in the death of 26-year-old Brittany Southwell. His trial began March 21, with opening statements before Circuit Judge John McBain.
Police allege Gelia kicked in the door of a house on election night, Nov. 8, 2016, and fired several shots inside the home, one of which struck and killed Southwell.
"I wish I could tell you she did not suffer, but that was not the case," Hawkins said. "She was shot in both her lungs and succumbed to asphyxiation. We can't tell you if she heard her child crying or her fiance asking if she's OK or the officer who told her she might not make it and needed to tell them if she knew who shot her.'
Prosecutors recently won a motion hearing allowing the jury to see the 25-minute Facebook Live recording that allegedly shows Gelia's actions up to and including the shooting.
Gelia's attorney, Andrew Kirkpatrick told the jury that throughout the trial he will not deny much of what Gelia is accused of.
"By the end of this trial, I will ask you to find him guilty, but I ask you to find him guilty of the appropriate charge," Kirkpatrick said. "Everything he did that night was an act of human stupidity."
Jurors heard from several witnesses Wednesday who were in the home during the shooting, as well as police officers who responded to the scene. Southwell's fiance, Tyler McCravey, testified he was at her side when Gelia entered the home and started shooting.
McCravey then described how Geila, whom he had never met before, pointed a gun at him and fired several times.
The jury then heard a recording of McCravey's frantic 911 call after the shooting stopped. When he made the call, McCravey did not realize yet that Southwell was struck by one of the bullets, he said.
Jurors wept as they heard McCravey on the recording begging for Southwell not to leave him as she struggled to breathe.
Jackson Police Officer Mike Galbreath, one of the first officers on the scene, said it took much effort to pull McCravey away from Southwell so rescue crews could try and assist her.
"She was not doing well," Galbreath said. "I tried to get some words out of her, to see if she knew who shot her, but was unsuccessful."
Galbreath collected evidence from the scene and took photos which were shown to the jury.
Another witness, a 17-year-old girl, testified she was a friend of Gelia and watched the 25-minute Facebook Live video in which prosecutors allege he killed Southwell.
"I went to talk to my mom after I saw it," she said. "I didn't know what to do. We called the cops and I asked myself, 'What did I just watch?'"
Jurors are expected to see the Facebook Live video, which was retrieved from Gelia's phone, during the trial, which resumes on Thursday, March 22.
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