DES MOINES, Iowa — The jury in the case against Preston Walls is still deliberating following seven days of testimony and cross-examination about the fatal January 2023 shooting at Starts Right Here.
On Wednesday, the jury had a question regarding one of the instructions referencing Walls' claim that he was justified in using reasonable force. But that's all the action the courtroom saw.
The court heard closing arguments on Tuesday. The prosecution claimed Walls planned to shoot and kill Gionni Dameron and Rashad Carr, while the defense argued that, while the shooting did happen, the evidence didn't show criminal intent.
Walls is charged with:
- Murder in the First Degree (two counts)
- Attempt to Commit Murder (one count)
- Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury (one count)
- Criminal Gang Participation (one count)
The defense continued to emphasize that the jury needs to hold the state accountable for their actions, with the legal standard being proving Walls acted with premeditated intent beyond a reasonable doubt.
"What evidentiary value did it bring to you? Did we ever say that this didn’t happen? So, you get to have a closeup of this poor boy with blood coming out of his mouth dead. What did that do for you other than make you angry?” defense attorney Darren Page argued.
The state said all the evidence they showed was necessary to prove that Walls is guilty.
"These videos that you have to watch are because Preston Walls murdered two people and shot a third. It is the defendant's actions who bring these videos to us who we have to watch," prosecuting attorney Daniel Voogt said.
The prosecution also continued to emphasize what they say is, overwhelming evidence, but at the end of the day they want the jury to use what they saw to come to a verdict rather than what they heard.
"I can go through all of those notes with you, I can talk about each of these 500 some separate exhibits that have been offered into this trial, but what I really want to do instead is talk about what we know to be true," Voogt said.
The jury began deliberating Tuesday afternoon and continued all day Wednesday, but they have not yet reached a verdict.
They have to go through 90 jury instructions, which means if they don't find Walls guilty on first-degree murder, then they have to go through each possible charge thereafter, leaving them with plenty to evaluate. The jury can also find him not guilty on all or some counts, or if a unanimous decision cannot be reached, the jury would be deadlocked.
The jury will reconvene Thursday morning to continue deliberating.