Convicted murderer hears verdict, lashes out in courtroom
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JACKSON, Tenn. — A man is found guilty of 16 counts in the first trial to use gang enhancement statutes in Jackson. Christopher Minor’s two-day murder trial ended with guilty verdicts on all 16 counts. The counts included first-degree murder, aggravated burglary and aggravated assault. Moments after the first verdict was read, Minors burst out with profanities proclaiming his innocence. Minor is convicted of beating Rico Swift to death in 2014. Swift’s girlfriend, who did not want to be identified, said she also was attacked by Minor in the couple’s apartment. “I was very nervous. This is just the beginning, and so far justice hasn’t been served all the way,” she said of the verdict. The majority of Minor’s charges were gang related. Investigator Aubrey Richardson with the Jackson Police Department testified Wednesday that Minor is a member of the Black P. Stone Nation and associates with Vice Lords locally. During Richardson’s testimony he identifies Minor in a group photo with other alleged gang members showing signs. As the jury reads the verdict on the gang enhancements, references are made repeatedly to Minor’s tattoos. Investigator Richardson said Minor has a five-point star and a pyramid on his forehead, tattoos he said are common for Vice Lords and People Nation gangs. Judge Roy Morgan said the murder conviction will come with an automatic life sentence for Minor. A formal sentencing date is set for November. A trial date for Minor’s co-defendant, Frederick Booth, has not been set. Booth is scheduled to appear in court next month. Officials told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News one reason for using the gang enhancement statutes comes from the additional time offenses can carry under the laws.
