Briston Smith Jr. at hearing
A police interview was played in General Sessions Court on Tuesday in which 18-year-old Briston J. Smith Jr. admitted taking part in a drug deal, but he said it was another youth who shot and killed Charles Holsey, 19.
Smith said he turned and left when Abram Young allegedly fired shots after Holsey refused to turn over marijuana he was demanding. He said he stated at the time, "It's not worth killing anybody over."
He said he then heard "Pow. Pow."
However, a detective told Smith that a witness said that when Holsey would not give up the drugs that he (Smith) yelled, "Shoot him. Shoot Him."
Smith said it was his idea to carry out the robbery, but he said Young was the one with the gun and "was the one doing all the talking."
Smith said the group had $100 and Holsey was asking $160 for the marijuana.
Smith also said that he got in touch with Holsey by mistake. He said he meant to text someone else and hit one wrong digit. He said he continued texting with Holsey however, and they arranged to meet him.
At one point in the interview Smith said, "You're trying to get me for murder."
The detective replied, "We've already got you for murder."
Judge Gary Starnes said there was a strong likelihood of conviction on the murder case and raised the total bond for Smith from $200,000 to $700,000.
He was bound to the Grand Jury on charges of felony first-degree murder, conspiracy, and attempted especially aggravated robbery.
The incident happened March 2 behind a gas station at 310 Sylvan St. in North Chattanooga.
Holsey drove off after being shot. He hit another vehicle in the 700 block of North Market Street.
Detective Chris Blackwell said a fairly large amount of marijuana was found in the car. He said nothing was taken from Holsey.
Smith was interviewed in Catoosa County, where he had been arrested on drug charges.
He said in the interview that after the incident he threw his cell phone into the Tennessee River.
He said others involved included Young, who was 17 at the time but whose case was transferred to adult court, and Robert Thompson, 18. All three face murder charges.
Attorney Bill Speek questions Detective Chris Blackwell