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Trial begins for Chattanooga man accused of fatal shooting outside Dodson Avenue nightclub

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Melvin Evans looks at potential jurors in Judge Boyd Patterson's courtroom at the Courts Building.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Melvin Evans looks at potential jurors in Judge Boyd Patterson's courtroom at the Courts Building. Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Melvin Evans looks at potential jurors in Judge Boyd Patterson's courtroom at the Courts Building.

By Mason Edwards 5 min read

Over five years after a fatal shooting outside a Dodson Avenue nightclub, a Chattanooga man accused of first-degree murder appeared in court Tuesday for his first day of a jury trial.

Melvin Evans, 32, faces a potential sentence of life in prison after his March 3, 2021, arrest following a shooting outside the Night Owl nightclub earlier that year. Video footage allegedly captured Evans shooting Kenneth Trammell Jr., 28, on Jan. 31, 2021, according to an arrest report.

In Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Boyd Patterson’s courtroom, Evans watched the day’s proceedings, which included jury selection, opening arguments, body camera footage and testimony from three witnesses.

(READ MORE: Teen accused of fatally shooting mother’s boyfriend in Hixson to be tried as an adult)

Trial begins for Chattanooga man accused of fatal shooting outside Dodson Avenue nightclub

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Judge Boyd Patterson talks to potential jurors in the trial of Melvin Evans at the Courts Building.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Judge Boyd Patterson talks to potential jurors in the trial of Melvin Evans at the Courts Building.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Melvin Evans enters Judge Boyd Patterson's courtroom at the Courts Building.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Melvin Evans enters Judge Boyd Patterson’s courtroom at the Courts Building.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Melvin Evans enters Judge Boyd Patterson's courtroom at the Courts Building.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Melvin Evans enters Judge Boyd Patterson’s courtroom at the Courts Building.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Melvin Evans looks at potential jurors in Judge Boyd Patterson's courtroom at the Courts Building.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Melvin Evans looks at potential jurors in Judge Boyd Patterson’s courtroom at the Courts Building.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Melvin Evans looks at potential jurors in Judge Boyd Patterson's courtroom at the Courts Building.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Melvin Evans looks at potential jurors in Judge Boyd Patterson’s courtroom at the Courts Building.

During opening arguments, prosecutor Andrew Childress accused Evans of ambushing Trammell as he left the nightclub. As soon as the business closed and people filtered out, Childress said, Evans allegedly ran to his vehicle and pulled it around in time to meet with Trammell.