Years from now, Jonathon Mattix will still be telling his story in prison, possibly convincing himself if he hasn’t already, that he shot his gun in self defense. No kidding, he’ll tell them. A 54-year-old woman who lived in the woods between Wayne Haven Street and the river, just a short bike ride from his mother’s mobile home on Moeller Road, grabbed his .38 special and turned it on him.

This week, Williams faced a jury for the second murder he’s accused of committing, that of Vanessa Brabson, 34 at the time of her death. He was found guilty of murder and drug dealing after the jury spent about seven hours deliberating the case. 

They stood in a row like obedient schoolboys, shoulder to shoulder, softly and deferentially repeating phrases like “yes, ma’am,” and “yes, your Honor.” The men known as the Pike’s Pub Six were in court Friday in front of Allen Superior Court Judge Fran Gull to find out whether or not they would face a jury together in what is known as a joinder trial for the beating of James Simmons on May 30 at Pike’s Pub in Waynedale.

Maybe because of memories of a lost romance or loneliness, or because of fear or coercion, or maybe the awkward hope of a diamond ring, Priya Whitt kept her silence for years. “Don’t say nothing,” she was told and Reginald Gant and Gregory Robinson expected her to keep her mouth shut.

You have “two tough dogs squaring up and eventually they’re going to fight. They’re trying to be the biggest badass dog in town,” Deshaies said on the stand. In court testimony, Deshaies identified Sanders, now 20, as a member of the BSG, aka Big Swen Gang, named after a deceased member.