A hung jury has led to a mistrial in the trial of two Chattanooga men charged in local rapper Robert “Brikk” Brown’s death in 2009.
Dexter L. Talley, Jr., 31, and Alonzo “Butch” Grace, 43, now face a possible new trial in the charges of especially aggravated robbery, attempted first-degree murder and first-degree murder in the March 28, 2009, incident.
Josquin Jackson, 45, testified that Talley, Grace and four other armed men entered the 3929B Webb Oaks Court apartment where he and Brown were staying while on a radio tour. Jackson said he and Brown fought back as the invaders tried to tie them up and both were shot multiple times.
Jackson faked being dead after being shot in the face.
Grace testified Wednesday that his nephew Talley was not at the house but he was there to buy crack cocaine when two men rushed inside and shot him, Brown and Jackson.
Police did not find drugs in the apartment.
A third co-defendant, 23-year-old Julian Maurice Smith, Jr., faces a separate trial on June 18.
Smith is Talley’s cousin and Grace’s nephew and has attended the trial.
Contact staff writer Todd South at tsouth@timesfreepress or 423-757-6347.
Todd South covers courts, poverty, technology, military and veterans for the Times Free Press. He has worked at the paper since 2008 and previously covered crime and safety in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia. Todd’s hometown is Dodge City, Kan. He served five years in the U.S. Marine Corps and deployed to Iraq before returning to school for his journalism degree from the University of Georgia. Todd previously worked at the Anniston (Ala.) Star. Contact ...
