HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The trial of LaJeromeny Brown, accused of killing Huntsville Police officer and STAC agent Billy Clardy III is underway. FOX54 News will bring you ongoing coverage as the case proceeds.
Testimony resumed after a midday break.
Witness John Daly was part of the takedown team. Daley said he saw Brown point the weapon at Snipes's vehicle and later recovered Brown's gun. When cross-examined, he was asked if he saw Brown fire the weapon and he said, "No."
After Daly, Douglas Pennington testified. He was the supervisor on the case and approved the opps plan. He put pressure on the bullet wound while Dean performed CPR. Pennington also helped carry Clardy to the car. The family of Clardy shed tears each time body cam footage was shown. Very emotional day. The defense had no questions for Pennington.
Witness Steven Martin was the crime scene investigator for the case. The jury looked at 945 pictures of crime scene photos. Martin showed where the bullet defects were in Clardy's bulletproof vest and that Brown's gun had a switch in it which can turn a semiautomatic weapon into a fully automatic weapon, a modification he made to the gun. All 100 pounds of marijuana were brought into the courtroom. The defense did not cross examine Martin.
The next witness was FBI Special Agent Andrew Edwards Stark. He examined digital evidence for the case and examined two cell phones from Brown. Stark showed messages from Brown to CI "Bid Fred" along with selfies from Brown's phone. Brown also had a fake ID in the name of Larry Kidd.
Testimony ended shortly after 4:00 p.m.
Earlier:
In its opening statement, the prosecution said that, "The case is pretty straightforward and simple," and that it will take about two days to show all the evidence, including that Brown had a modified weapon that when you press the trigger all the bullets come out until you release the trigger, and that, "At the end of the day what he did is going to be pretty clear."
The defense opening statement was brief, that it will, "Hold the state to their burden."
STAC Agent Joseph Dean was called to the stand and said that a CI helped police set up the initial buy of three pounds of marijuana that led to the 100 pound buy. Agent Thomas Morris was the 3rd party Brown sold to the first time and the second time where Clardy died. The plan was to have Brown pull up the the house in his truck and then get him as far away from the truck as possible and take him down outside the house. The vacant house was arranged for by the real estate wife of Clardy. Everyone was wearing a police marked bulletproof vest except Morris.
Dean broke down when he described Clardy going down and said that he was "doing anything I could to save his life."
Bodycam footage is being shown.
Cross examination underway. CI known as "Big Fred". In earlier testimony, it was stated that he has drug charges and was helping Huntsville Police. Fred had trafficking cocaine and trafficking heroine charges. The first buy of three pounds took place in the Parkway Place Mall parking lot.
Defense is asking about surveillance on the outside of the house since they lost sight of Brown once he came to the doorstep. Dean says Brown parked in front of the house then drove across the street and park in a field then he came back and parked in front of the house. Defense is questioning how Dean handled him coming to the house. Defense: “You couldn’t abort the plan”
Dean: “Abort a plan where the suspect brings 100 pounds of marijuana to Huntsville? No that doesn’t work”
After this, the prosecution reexamined the witness to clarify details and released him.
Next witness is STAC Agent Tommy Morris, who was undercover in this case. He was in the front seat of the car with Billy [Clardy] in the back. Morris said he did not hear a know but only heard Brown open the door.
Next witness is STAC Agent Bradley Snipes, who was surveillance for the first 3 pounds deal. He was surveillance and take down for the 100 pound deal. Snipes chased Brown, who was running, in his car, then chased him on foot once he believed he was close enough. Snipes took brown into custody. Clardy was loaded into Snipes's vehicle. Bodycam footage from Snipes was shown.
UPDATE (10/15): Jury selection is expected to begin Monday in the trial against LaJeromeny Brown, the man accused of fatally shooting a Huntsville Police drug squad agent.
Previous coverage continues below.
Attorneys for accused killer LaJeromeny Brown successfully lobbied a judge to give them information about a confidential informant connected to the sting operation that allegedly led to the death of a drug task force member.
At a hearing held in a Madison County courtroom on Thursday, defense attorneys argued that the information of the confidential informant(s) name and address would be needed, should that informant have information about the deal that could be useful for Brown's defense. They were granted these pieces in information; however, they initially asked for much more, including interviews with the confidential informant, deals, notes, "uncharged misconduct", and criminal records.
Brown is next scheduled to appear at a status conference on October 4, with trial due to begin October 16.
Brown was indicted in August 2021 and charged with capital murder in the December 2019 death of Huntsville STAC agent Billy Clardy III during the undercover operation at a home on Lavert Street. Investigators say Clardy died from a gunshot wound to the heart, just beyond the protection of the bulletproof vest he was wearing.
STAC is a task force combining the efforts of Huntsville, Madison, and Decatur city police departments, the Madison County Sheriff's Office, and the Madison and Morgan County district attorneys.
Clardy was a 14-year veteran of HPD whose father was also killed while serving HPD in 1978. The younger Clardy had an extensive list of awards and commendations earned during his career.