Third Brickhouse shooter pleads guilty
By Kat Russell, Reporter
The Paducah Sun
DATE
http://www.paducahsun.com/rd-brickhouse-shooter-pleads-guilty/article_07887330-82b1-50a3-8c98-150f0f63b149.html
The third of three suspects accused in last year's fatal shooting at the Brickhouse nightclub near Lower Town agreed to a plea deal Friday in McCracken Circuit Court.
Christopher Smith, 34, was charged with murder, attempted murder and convicted felon in possession of a handgun after a shooting on April 16, 2016, that resulted in the death of a bystander, 46-year-old Gary Johnson.
On Friday, he pleaded guilty to amended charges of second-degree manslaughter, attempted murder and convicted felon in possession of a handgun. The commonwealth recommended Smith serve 10 years each on the manslaughter and attempted murder charges and five years for the handgun charge, all to run consecutively for a total of 25 years in prison.
The cases against co-defendants Denzell Powell, 24, and Tracell Nunn, 27, have been resolved.
Powell was originally charged with murder and three counts each of first-degree wanton endangerment and first-degree criminal mischief in two separate cases.
The murder charge stems from the Brickhouse shooting, while the remaining charges stem from previous incidents in which Powell shot at two vehicles and a house.
Powell pleaded guilty in April to an amended charge of second-degree manslaughter and the other six counts. The commonwealth recommended he serve a total of 10 years in prison.
Nunn was convicted last month on charges of murder, attempted murder and persistent felony offender. The jury recommended he serve 25 years in prison.
The attempted murder charges against Smith and Nunn stem from the two men shooting at Powell with the intent to kill him, according to the McCracken grand jury indictment.
Both men have yet to be sentenced.
On the night of the shooting, police said, the Brickhouse, a local nightclub at Boyd and Ninth streets, was packed with people both in the club and in the parking lot.
During Nunn's trial, Powell testified that he and two friends arrived at the Brickhouse sometime after midnight. A little before 1 a.m., Powell said, Nunn and Smith ran up to his vehicle and opened fire. Powell said he returned fire, striking Johnson in the head.
All three men then fled the scene, police said.
When police arrived, Detective Ryan Conn testified, he found Johnson lying on his back in the parking lot. Although labored, Johnson was still breathing, Conn said, and he had a faint pulse.
Johnson was rushed to Baptist Health Paducah, where he died.
Conn said Powell was quickly identified as a person of interest, and was picked up about an hour later at a gas station on Hinkleville Road. A .45-caliber handgun was found in his possession, the detective said.
Powell's vehicle was found behind a residence on North 24th Street. Paducah Detective Beau Green said he noted about seven bullet holes in the vehicle, most in the driver's side.
While interviewing Powell, police said he identified Smith and Nunn, stating the two men had initiated the shootout.
Smith was arrested the same day. Nunn was found and arrested in Louisville about two months after the shooting.
Following Smith's court appearance, Gary Johnson's brother, Darryl Johnson, said he was relieved to know his family would not have to live through another trial.
"It's like a huge weight has come off my shoulders," he said. "I feel like I'm lighter and standing taller."
After the proceedings, Johnson said he spoke to Smith and Smith's family and offered Smith his forgiveness.
"I just couldn't carry that weight around anymore," Johnson said.
"I've felt heavy and irritable and have been so tired for so long and I didn't know why, and now I know it was everything we've been dealing with this past year -- stressful doesn't even begin to cover it. And who knows, maybe tonight when (Smith) lays his head down, maybe something will be different, maybe he'll find another perspective."
Smith is scheduled for sentencing on June 31. Powell will be sentenced in July.
Christopher Smith, 34, was charged with murder, attempted murder and convicted felon in possession of a handgun after a shooting on April 16, 2016, that resulted in the death of a bystander, 46-year-old Gary Johnson.
On Friday, he pleaded guilty to amended charges of second-degree manslaughter, attempted murder and convicted felon in possession of a handgun. The commonwealth recommended Smith serve 10 years each on the manslaughter and attempted murder charges and five years for the handgun charge, all to run consecutively for a total of 25 years in prison.
The cases against co-defendants Denzell Powell, 24, and Tracell Nunn, 27, have been resolved.
Powell was originally charged with murder and three counts each of first-degree wanton endangerment and first-degree criminal mischief in two separate cases.
The murder charge stems from the Brickhouse shooting, while the remaining charges stem from previous incidents in which Powell shot at two vehicles and a house.
Powell pleaded guilty in April to an amended charge of second-degree manslaughter and the other six counts. The commonwealth recommended he serve a total of 10 years in prison.
Nunn was convicted last month on charges of murder, attempted murder and persistent felony offender. The jury recommended he serve 25 years in prison.
The attempted murder charges against Smith and Nunn stem from the two men shooting at Powell with the intent to kill him, according to the McCracken grand jury indictment.
Both men have yet to be sentenced.
On the night of the shooting, police said, the Brickhouse, a local nightclub at Boyd and Ninth streets, was packed with people both in the club and in the parking lot.
During Nunn's trial, Powell testified that he and two friends arrived at the Brickhouse sometime after midnight. A little before 1 a.m., Powell said, Nunn and Smith ran up to his vehicle and opened fire. Powell said he returned fire, striking Johnson in the head.
All three men then fled the scene, police said.
When police arrived, Detective Ryan Conn testified, he found Johnson lying on his back in the parking lot. Although labored, Johnson was still breathing, Conn said, and he had a faint pulse.
Johnson was rushed to Baptist Health Paducah, where he died.
Conn said Powell was quickly identified as a person of interest, and was picked up about an hour later at a gas station on Hinkleville Road. A .45-caliber handgun was found in his possession, the detective said.
Powell's vehicle was found behind a residence on North 24th Street. Paducah Detective Beau Green said he noted about seven bullet holes in the vehicle, most in the driver's side.
While interviewing Powell, police said he identified Smith and Nunn, stating the two men had initiated the shootout.
Smith was arrested the same day. Nunn was found and arrested in Louisville about two months after the shooting.
Following Smith's court appearance, Gary Johnson's brother, Darryl Johnson, said he was relieved to know his family would not have to live through another trial.
"It's like a huge weight has come off my shoulders," he said. "I feel like I'm lighter and standing taller."
After the proceedings, Johnson said he spoke to Smith and Smith's family and offered Smith his forgiveness.
"I just couldn't carry that weight around anymore," Johnson said.
"I've felt heavy and irritable and have been so tired for so long and I didn't know why, and now I know it was everything we've been dealing with this past year -- stressful doesn't even begin to cover it. And who knows, maybe tonight when (Smith) lays his head down, maybe something will be different, maybe he'll find another perspective."
Smith is scheduled for sentencing on June 31. Powell will be sentenced in July.
