2 on trial in 2015 robbery-homicide

Two Hagerstown men went on trial Monday in the 2015 robbery and shooting death of Deval Green in Guilford Township.

Antoine Alphonzo Hunter, 26, and Tarence Lamar Reed 31, are both charged with second degree murder, robbery and burglary charges. Reed is charged with first degree murder in the case.

Both are accused of going to Green's home on Quarry Road in Guilford Township, early on Dec. 14, 2015. They stole a few items, and Reed is accused of fatally shooting Green after a struggle.

More:Men accused of murder and robbery face trial next week

Franklin County District Attorney Matt Fogal began by presenting a detailed timeline, list of witnesses and highlights of evidence.

Fogal also acknowledged that Green was a drug dealer, and not a saint. But he said that while people die everyday, Green's death was not natural.

Four other people believed to have been involved in the incident, who have already taken pleas, will testify, Fogal told the jurors. He said they conspired to commit the robbery, but they will testify that no one said anything about hurting, let alone killing anyone. 

More:Police: Suspects point fingers, stories differ

Hunter's attorney Stephen Kulla contended that Hunter was not involved with the shooting and wasn't even at the Green's house during the robbery.

Kulla called the prosecution's case "a weak case, wrought with a plethora of flaws," adding that it relied on the testimony of "convicted criminals."

Kulla said the co-defendants in the case changed their stories several times, and they cannot be trusted to tell the truth this time.

Kulla also said a witness to Hunter's whereabouts would indicate he was in Hagerstown.

Finally, Reed's attorney Eric Weisbrod spoke, agreeing with Kulla that the co-defendants are not reliable, and saying that their statements had inconsistencies.

Weisbrod argued there is no motive for Reed for any involvement in the robbery homicide, and no evidence of Reed planning any of it.

The trial will continue Tuesday with the first presentation of evidence, including testimony about the initial 9-11 calls and the crime scene. The trial is scheduled to run through the week, and into next week.

Becky Metrick, 717-262-4762