Broner v. State

A jury found Reginald Broner guilty of malice murder of Julian Beasley, possessing a firearm during the commission of that murder and possession of the weapon by a convicted felon. The trial court sentenced him to life imprisonment for murder and imposed two consecutive five-year terms of imprisonment for the weapon offenses. Broner filed a motion for new trial, which the trial court denied, and he now brings this appeal. 1. The body of Mr. Beasley was found behind the wheel of his still-running vehicle. He had been shot in the chest. The homicide occurred at an intersection where drug transactions took place. The victim had previously solicited the purchase of drugs, but, having them in his possession, drove away without paying.

Broner and Stanley Jones, a drug dealer, were at the intersection when Mr. Beasley drove up. Jones approached to offer to sell drugs, but the victim gestured to Broner instead. According to Jones’ statement to the police, he saw Broner shoot the victim. At trial, however, Jones disavowed his original statement, claiming that he had been coerced by threats from the police to charge him with conspiracy to murder Mr. Beasley unless he implicated Broner. Jones testified that he heard gunshots, but did not see Broner holding a firearm and did not know who had fired the gun.