Monday, Feb. 22, marks the arrival of sweeping new criminal justice reforms opposed by those in law enforcement.Â
Decatur police detective Barry Hitchens testified during the preliminary hearing that there had been a knock at the door Christmas night, and the brother opened it to be confronted by Banks, armed with a gun, who came in past him and kept firing as he pursued a fleeing Murphy.
Hitchens testified Murphy suffered fatal wounds to the chest and abdomen. No motive for the killing was mentioned during testimony and none was offered during Wednesdayâs plea hearing.
Assistant Macon County Stateâs Attorney Tom Wheeler said after Wednesdayâs hearing that the lack of physical evidence linking Banks to the scene and the fact the case hinged on limited witness testimony was taken into consideration when negotiating the plea.Â