While some students at Richardson Towers were cramming for mid-term exams and planning Homecoming events, Devin Jefferson was planning the robbery that led to the murder of U of M football player Taylor Bradford, according to Jefferson's statement read in court Tuesday by police. Accused in the Sept. 30 murder of Bradford, two of the four defendants, Jefferson and Victor Trezevant, both 21, appeared in General Sessions Criminal Court Tuesday for preliminary hearings. Judge Karen Massey heard testimony from three officers, one of whom is a U of M officer who was the first to respond to the site of Bradford's wrecked car. Two Memphis Police Department officers, who took statements from Jefferson and Trezevant, testified in court.
After hearing testimony on the statements, Judge Massey ordered Jefferson and Trezevant, along with Courtney Washington, 22, and DaeShawn Tate, 21, to face a grand jury on charges of first- degree murder and attempted robbery. The four will remain in custody on their present bail of a million dollars or more.
The statements heard in court Tuesday turned friends Jefferson and Trezevant against each other.
"Two drastically different statements were heard today," said Greg Carman, attorney for Jefferson. "This is going to be a finger pointing case."
Although statements were given freely, the procedure in which the testimonies were derived is in question.
"One police officer said that my client did not want to speak," Carman said. "But they ended up with a statement. We are now asking questions as to what transpired between those times."
The conflicting statements place the planning of the robbery at Richardson Towers, Jefferson's old dorm. Originally planned for Sept. 29, plans were pushed back after one of the alleged assailants had to meet with a girl. The plans were put into action around 9:30 the next night.
Found still alive with a shotgun wound, Bradford was rushed to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis, where he was later pronounced dead.
"In more than one statement, including Jefferson's, Erica Bell's parking pass was used to enter the complex," said Reggie Henderson, district attorney. "Jefferson says that she didn't know about the plan."
According to Henderson, police said at the time, Bell, a U of M student, was dating Jefferson.
Trezevant's statement labels Jefferson as the triggerman and places Jefferson at the crime scene.
According to Trezevant's statement, Jefferson watched Bradford enter his car and then phoned the other three men to enter the complex.
However, Jefferson's statement claims Trezevant pulled the trigger.
"Everyone's pointing the finger - it's typical in codefendants," Henderson said. "Under the law, planning to benefit from a robbery that leads to a murder is enough to face first-degree murder charges."
Despite the serious charges, Jefferson is dealing with the accusations well, Carman said.
"Devin seems to be in good spirits. He's putting it in the Lord's hands."
