Closing Arguments Expected this Afternoon in Houston County Murder Trial

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Under cross-examination, the defense questioned whether law enforcement exhausted its suspects before arresting Jermontae Moss. Moss is being charged in the shooting death of Mexican Food Store Owner Jose Marin which happened in September of last year. 

Warner Robins Police Detective Mark Wright took the stand Wednesday. Wright interviewed Moss the night of the shooting. Jurors watched edited versions of the interview exchange. In the tape, Moss explains that he was carrying the gun for protection and didn’t know it was stolen. He also told Wright that he was the only one who handled the gun in the past two weeks.

During cross-examination, Defense Attorney Rodney Davis questioned Wright about a person by the name of Christian Daniels. According to Wright, Daniels was in a suspicious car in the same area the night of the shooting. Daniels was taken in for questioning and was later released. Davis questioned Wright and said he wasn’t sure if Daniels was wearing the same clothing that matched the suspect’s description.

The state also called Medical Examiner Dr. James Whitaker.

The defense rested its case without calling any witnesses. The defense motioned for an acquittal of all charges based on the fact that there is no evidence or DNA to prove that Moss fired the gun. Houston County Superior Court George Nunn denied the motion.

Closing arguments are expected to begin later this afternoon.