by GLENN COUNTS / NewsChannel 36
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Posted on March 24, 2011 at 5:26 PM
Updated yesterday at 5:34 PM\
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The murder trial for a man accused of killing his high school cheerleader ex-girlfriend began Thursday.
Gary Daniels is accused of first-degree murder in the March 2009 death of Charney Watt.
Daniels and Watt were a couple and prosecutors believe he killed her when she ended the relationship.
"The defendant went to the back of the woods behind the house, retrieved a shotgun, brought it to the room where Charney was, held the shotgun toward her head and pulled the trigger and killed her," said prosecutor Desmond McCallum.
At this point in the process, Daniels is considered an innocent man. His attorney, Grady Jessup, reminded the jury of that fact.
“Gary Daniels is not guilty, not guilty,” said defense attorney Grady Jessup. “Not guilty of first-degree murder because he did not, with malice, and premeditation and deliberation, kill Charney Watts.
The prosecution’s first witness was Watt’s legal guardian, Tamoria Walker. Walker’s family took Watt in because Watt’s father was in prison and her mother was bipolar. Watt herself was an Olympic High School track star, cheerleader and honor student.
Walker became emotional on the witness stand looking at some of Watt’s pictures
Prosecutors say Watt was shot in the head with a shotgun at point-blank range. The first paramedic who arrived at the scene of the shooting testified Thursday afternoon, describing a gruesome scene. Although it may be difficult for jurors to hear about, they will have to see pictures from the crime scene later in the trial.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Daniels could spend life in prison.
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