Prosecutors focus on van they believed was used in 2016 Chattanooga murder trial

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Andre Grier murder trial continued into Day 3.

He is charged with first degree murder in the 2016 death of Bianca Horton.

Prosecutors on day three of the Andre Grier murder trial focused on the vehicle Andre Grier and his associates used in the murder of Horton.

They say that a white Ford work van contains key evidence that ties Grier to the murder of Horton. 

Sgt. Christopher Blackwell of the Chattanooga Police Department said, “We were just out driving around out there and he knows the individuals that lived on the street, and just so happened we saw that van sitting there.”

That van, according to investigators, was in the possession of Grier and his associates, Charles Shelton and Courtney High, at the time of the murder of Bianca Horton.

According to a forensic interview of a current gang member that is incarcerated, but due to a court order that we are not able to identify, they said that Horton was killed due to her commitment to testify against Cortez Sims.

Sims was convicted after a home invasion left Horton’s one year old daughter Zoey paralyzed.

That gang member was on the witness stand Thursday, but claimed not to know any of the participants in the murder of Horton, contradicting their statement to police in 2018.

This led to the defense questioning if that interview was tainted by the climate of fear surrounding the case.

Defense Attorney Kit Rogers: There’s talk on the street right, all the time?

Chattanooga Police homicide investigator Taylor Walker: Yes.

Rogers: And all these things were out there, before this interview?

Walker: I don’t believe the details such as the vehicles involved and the addresses would’ve been out, would’ve been public knowledge at this point.

Meanwhile, investigators say that white van was discovered at a house on O’Leary Street in Alton Park, and they were able to tie it back to Grier.

Proseuctor Amy Werich: There’s a lot of white vans I’m sure in Hamilton County. How did you know this was the van you were looking for?

Sgt. Blackwell: By the VIN number, the vehicle identification number that’s on the van.

Werich: Who did it match to?

Sgt. Blackwell: It matched some paperwork that was found earlier that had the defendant’s name on it.

It was taken to CPD’s impound lot where the FBI combed through the van.

Inside of it; cleaning supplies, gloves, and a chain were all discovered.

A FBI Special Agent said that trace evidence usually unnoticeable can be more valuable.

Special Agent Reanna O’Hare said, “Anything like hairs, clothing fibers, carpet fibers, the hair could be attributed to any number of people.”

The trial will continue into Friday.

If convicted, Grier could face the death penalty.