Jurors heard the first testimony Tuesday in the murder trial of a Fresno man accused of shooting and killing his elderly neighbor in broad daylight more than four years ago.
Christopher Turner sat across from a jury of eight men and six women as prosecutors began presenting evidence in the case.
Surveillance video played in court appeared to show the August 2022 shooting prosecutors say claimed the life of 73-year-old Robert Torres.
According to investigators, neighbors near First Street and Clinton Avenue called police after hearing a series of gunshots and finding a man lying in the roadway.
Officers responded to the area of Orchard and Yale avenues, where they found Torres suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police arrested Turner two days later at his apartment, alleging the shooting stemmed from an argument between the two men.
“We conducted that surround-and-call-out with the PA system with the vehicles, calling him outside of the front yard or front porch of the apartment. He complied and came outside,” Fresno Police Detective Anthony Valles testified.
Jurors also heard details about the search of Turner’s apartment following his arrest.
“We make entry and we do a slow, methodical search for any additional subjects or any additional threats within the house or the apartment,” Valles said.
Investigators testified they located a gun holster and an expired firearm safety certificate inside the apartment.
However, under cross-examination, the defense focused on what police did not recover.
Fresno Police Sgt. Ben Barnes acknowledged that investigators never found a firearm during their search of Turner’s residence.
“No firearm was found anywhere in Mr. Turner’s apartment, correct?” the defense attorney asked.
“That’s correct,” Barnes replied.
“No magazine for a firearm was found in his apartment?”
“That’s correct.”
The defense used the testimony to highlight the absence of the alleged murder weapon despite the search of Turner’s apartment.
The trial is expected to continue with additional witnesses as prosecutors seek to convince jurors that Turner was responsible for Torres’ death.
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