JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The mother of a man on trial on charges of murder testified that she recognized the man seen in surveillance video shooting a hotel clerk to death during a robbery as her son.
John Casey, 36, is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Helen Walker at the Best Western on Collins Road in October 2004.
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After Casey told Circuit Judge Hugh A. Carithers on Monday he wanted a nonjury trial, the prosecution gave its opening statement Tuesday morning. The defense attorney deferred its opening statement and the state began calling witnesses, including Casey's mother.
Katherine Holly was shown the video from a security camera inside the hotel lobby. The video shows a man approaching the hotel's front desk and asking the clerk some questions before demanding money and then shooting her in the chest.
Holly testified that she looked at the surveillance video with detecitves in the days after the slaying, but couldn't tell if it was her son. However, a week ago, she contacted the state attorney's office and told then she was sure it was her son.
"I'm his mother, I know my son," Holly said.
The prosecution also called other witnesses on Tuesday who testified that they also believe the man seen on the surveillance tape is Casey.
James Reigelsperger testified that he dropped off Casey near the hotel to buy drugs, but that he left after hearing a loud pop and Casey came running back to the truck.
When asked how Casey appeared when he returned to the truck Reigelsperger said the defendant appeared, "real shaken up, almost crying ? He said, 'It just went off. It just went off.'"
Prosecutors said they would also present DNA collected from the hotel's countertop that matched a DNA profile developed from Casey's personal items found in a hotel room he had occupied.
Casey's defense attorney has been concentrating on Reigelsperger and other witnesses that were with Casey on the night of the shooting. The defense said the group had been partying and using drugs and alcohol and possibly didn't remember what happened the night of the shooting.
In addition to murder, Casey is charged with armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty if Casey is convicted.
Previous Stories:
- April 14, 2006: Man Indicted In 2004 Murder Of Hotel Clerk
- April 7, 2006: Police Arrest, Charge Man In 2004 Homicide
- October 19, 2004: Police Ask Public To Help Find Woman's Killer
- October 5, 2004: Mother Of Three Shot To Death At Westside Hotel