Jury to deliberate Tuesday after tense closing arguments in Grier trial

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Both sides have rested in the Andre Grier murder trial.

Grier is charged with first degree murder in the 2016 killing of Bianca Horton.

There were over three hours of closing arguments from the prosecution and defense.

Their decision will determine the fate of Grier, who if convicted, could face the death penalty.

Prosecutor Amy Werich said, “If this isn’t premeditated I don’t know what is.”

The prosecution argued that Andre Grier, along with Charles Shelton and Courtney High of the Athens Park Bloods, planned and executed the killing of Horton on the night of May 24, 2016.

Chattanooga Police Investigator Jeremy Wimbush testified earlier in the day Monday, “The Athens Park Bloods were solely responsible for the murder of Bianca Horton.”

This they argue was to prevent Horton from testifying against fellow gang member Cortez Sims, as they argue that Grier was attempting to hold on to his power in the gang.

Werich said, “This was meant to be a message not just for Cortez Sims’ case, but for anything going further….This murder would have never happened if it weren’t for the defendant who needed to prove himself and set the record straight.”

Defense Attorney Kit Rogers however says the case against his client is unsubstantiated. 

Rogers said, “Why are we charged in this? I’ve seen stronger DUI cases!”

He said that the state did not present any evidence that directly connected Grier to the crime scene on Elder Street, as no DNA from him was found there, arguing the murder was instead committed by Courtney High, who pleaded guilty last year to Horton’s murder, without Grier’s involvement.

Rogers asked Investigator Wimbush earlier in the day, “You agree that there is zero direct evidence that places Andre Grier anywhere near that crime scene. Anywhere near Bianca Horton’s murder. Anywhere near anything. That there is no direct evidence that he is involved in this at all?”

Wimbush responded, “Um, physical evidence, if we’re speaking about biological evidence, forensic evidence, DNA, then no sir.”

Rogers told the jury later on, “They decided that he was guilty long before they ever arrested him. They decided he was guilty long before they ever did the investigation, and the investigation shows that… She was murdered, absolutely murdered, just not by Andre Grier.”

He argued that prosecutors were fear mongering about Grier’s role in the Athens Park Bloods.

Rogers said, “The fact that we had gang gang gang, gang gang gang, gang, is the same thing as saying ‘boogity boogity boogity boogity boogity’, it’s to scare you.”

However, prosecutors argue that Horton was showing strength in daring to testify against gang members.

She had decided to do so following her baby Zoey being paralyzed and friend Talitha Bowman being killed in a home invasion Cortez Sims was convicted of.

Werich said, “Bianca was strong. She understood the importance of what she was being asked to do.”

Prosecutors say this jury are the only ones who can properly honor Bianca Horton.

Werich said, “Bianca Horton was armed with the truth. She knew what she was doing was the right thing. Do not let her fight end in vain.”

An Anderson County jury is set to receive the murder trial of Andre Grier on Tuesday morning.

We’ll provide updates throughout the day Tuesday and let you know when there is a verdict.