Hearing Held in Double Murder Case
JACKSON, Tenn. – The West Tennessee man accused of killing two people in downtown Jackson last month, is back in front of a judge. Anthony Swift was in city court for his preliminary hearing, Wednesday, where witnesses testified about what happened after a graduation party on April 28, when shots rang out. “They were outside and I’m assuming they fought, and some things went on, and they were shooting,” said witness Rachel Ruffin. Jackson police arrested Swift earlier this month for fatally shooting Brian Banes and Delandis Clark. “[On Mr. Delandis Clark] there were 17 wounds noted,” said medical examiner Trent Harris. “On Mr. Brian Baines, there were 9 wounds noted.” Witnesses testified there were no problems during the party, while inside the Wolfe Enterprises building. They said the chaos started afterward, outside in the parking lot. “I just ran to Brian and held his head, and prayed,” Ruffin said. “He wouldn’t respond. His eyes were open.” After the testimony, Swift’s attorney tried to have the first degree murder charges dropped, saying it was not premeditated. “I don’t believe that the evidence that they presented today supported that, so I felt like something lesser than first degree should’ve been sent on to the Grand Jury, which is why I requested that,” said David Camp, Swift’s defense attorney. The charges were not dropped. Swift will remain in jail without bond. Swift’s case will now go before a Madison County Grand Jury on July 29. Also headed to the grand jury the case against the second person charged in the deadly shooting. Police told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News that Travontay Berry waived his right to a preliminary hearing, Wednesday. Now, a grand jury will decide if he should stand trial on charges of reckless endangerment and tampering with evidence. Officers believe Berry was the first person to fire outside Wolfe Enterprises on April 28. Police said he shot into the air and got rid of the gun.
