Caleb Askins gets reduction in charges on day four of murder trial
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Friday was day four of the Askins Brothers Trial.
They are charged with the 2023 murder of Warren Crutcher at a home on Maryland Street in North Chattanooga.
One of the more significant developments in the trial occurred after the prosecution rested its case.
Attorney John McDougal argued that his client, Caleb Askins, was not aware of his brothers and two juveniles’ plans to commit a series of drive-by shootings across Chattanooga on the night of August 29, 2023.
This prosecutors say were retaliatory attacks by the gang Everybody a Killa, or EBK, gang.
These were on Webb Road, Noah Reid Road,and Maryland Street.
The Maryland Street address in North Chattanooga is where prosecutors say 49 year old Warren Crutcher was killed during that drive by shooting.
The lead investigator on the case for the Chattanooga Police Department, Haley Cottrell, says that the juveniles in the case attempted to create an alibi.
Cottrell testified, “(He told him to) text his mom and say they’re at Taco Bell down the street.”
Shortly afterwards, the prosecution rested its case, and the defense did not offer any witnesses.
The defense attorneys for Samuel Askins attempted to get Hamilton County Judge Boyd Patterson to drop his first degree murder charge, which Judge Patterson denied.
However, the debate heated up over Caleb Askins’ charge of conspiracy to commit first degree murder, which if convicted, would have carried a sentence up to 25 years.
The prosecution argued even without direct evidence of his knowledge of the plans that evening, it could still be inferred that violent crimes would be committed.
Prosecutor Paul Moyle said, “He was aware that criminal conduct was going to occur before. It’s not accessory after the fact, it’s accessory before and after and that’s what a conspiracy is.”
However, Judge Patterson ruled without direct evidence, Caleb Askins could only be charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.
That only carries a 2-4 year sentence.
McDougal said, “(No one said) anything until they got in the car and started driving. So nothing was stated in front of Caleb Askins… Essentially he was staying at home to guard the home front where everybody was at home to make sure someone didn’t come to shoot up the place again.”
Closing arguments and jury deliberations are expected on Monday.
