WFXG Fox54 Augusta-Your News One Hour EarlierMurder trial for Thomas Bradford underway

Murder trial for Thomas Bradford underway

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By Lauren Powell - bio | email
Thomas Bradford Thomas Bradford
Columbia County, GA (WFXG) -

Opening arguments have wrapped up and the trial of Thomas Bradford is underway in Columbia County Tuesday morning.

Bradford is on trial for the death of Raymond Lee. Prosecutors say Bradford got in an argument with Raymond Lee at Reed Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in April 2011. 

After that argument, prosecutors say Bradford tried to run over Lee with a truck, then shot and killed him. 

Police say Bradford then called 911 to report the shooting, admitted he did it and asked for a speedy trial. 

FOX54's Jake Wallace is in the courtroom and will be blogging LIVE throughout the trial.

9:00am - Opening arguments begin.

10:20am - Opening arguments are over. Judge Roper allows a short break before the first witness takes the stand.

10:44am - The 911 tape is played for the courtroom. Georgia State Patrol Officer, Ben Rollins, is called as the first witness for the prosecution.

Rollins was the first on the scene. He testifies he saw the victim, Lee, face down and Bradford kneeling while on the phone with 911.

11:03am - GSP Officer Rollins is dismissed from the witness stand.

11:05am - The prosecution calls their second witness to the stand. The witness is an employee at the treatment plant, Andrew Lasure.

11:23am - Lasure says he saw Bradford walking toward Lee with a gun extended as Lee was walking away after an argument between the two. The witness says he saw Bradford fire one shot after he watched the two struggle for the gun.

12:03pm - The defense is now questioning Lasure. They ask him if he could clearly see the incident from his spot 137 yards away.

12:41pm - Court is breaking for lunch until 2:30pm.

2:37pm - Jury enters courtroom. Manager of treatment plant, Richard Haygood is called to the stand.

3:07pm - Audio of Haygood's 911 call is being played to the courtroom. "He just shot my boss. He just got out of the truck and shot him," says Haygood.

5:32pm - Court is adjourned for the day. Trial will continue Wednesday morning at 10am.