Murder trial begins for accused gunman in deadly July 2015 shooting
JACKSON, Tenn. — Wednesday was the first day of trial for Christopher Lyles, one of the men Jackson police say is responsible for an armed robbery, kidnapping and murder last summer in Lincoln Courts.
In court, witnesses recalled events that led up to 29-year-old Beau Reid being shot and killed outside his apartment last July.
“Two suspects came in,” witness James Fisher said. “When I opened the door, they entered the apartment, told me to get down on the ground.”
Witnesses identified Christopher Lyles as one of the men who forced his way into their apartment with a handgun, demanding drugs and money.
Fisher testified that when the armed men weren’t satisfied with the amount of marijuana he had, out of fear he agreed to help the men find what they were looking for.
“We didn’t have it but we can help ya’ll go get whatever ya’ll want,” Fisher said. “Whatever ya’ll want or trying to do we’ll go with you guys. I was so afraid, I walked out with my hands up, like the police was outside.”
Bob Akins, who was visiting, testified he was also held at gunpoint. He said getting the men out of the house was a chance to escape.
“Run or see a car,” Akins said. “Try to run in front of a car or see a police. I was trying anything just to get out the house.”
Both witnesses who testified said after about 10 to 15 minutes of knocking on a random door, they saw Lyles and his co-defendant shoot the man who came outside.
“They unloaded, boom, boom, boom, boom,” Akins said. “And I ran, but I’m looking back at the same time to see if they’re going to chase us.”
“And we took off running, and I looked back and they were firing the guns,” Fisher said.
Fisher and Akins say they are confident Christopher Lyles was one of the shooters.
The trial is expected to wrap up Thursday after more testimony from witnesses and closing arguments.
