Springfield man found guilty in 2012 murder

A Springfield man was found guilty of murder Thursday, almost three years after he shot and killed another man in a drug deal gone bad.

A jury found Darian Hall, 21, guilty of second-degree murder and three other felonies in the 2012 death of Trent Brewer.

During a four-day trial this week, Hall testified he shot Brewer in self-defense, but prosecutors pointed out the fatal shot hit Brewer in the back.

Prosecutors said Hall tried to rob Brewer during a marijuana transaction in the parking lot of the Vision Clinic on South National Avenue — and when Brewer turned to run, Hall fired at least four shots at the fleeing man.

Brewer, who was hit twice, stumbled back toward his nearby apartment before collapsing and dying on the evening of Dec. 12, 2012.

During closing arguments Thursday, Greene County assistant prosecutor Dawn Diel showed the jury a photo of Brewer’s body face-down outside of his apartment.

“Here’s the kid who got ripped off and shot in the back,” Diel said. “He’s the victim.”

A witness testified Hall and another man, Marquay Marshall, planned to buy marijuana from Brewer. Court documents say another witness told police Hall pulled a gun from a bag and pointed it at Brewer, who put his hands in the air and backed away before turning to run.

Hall’s attorney David Smith said in closing arguments that Hall was scared and that Brewer came at him prior to the shooting.

Smith argued the fatal shot hit Brewer more in the side than in the back. Smith also cast doubt on the state’s evidence that Brewer was unarmed.

Hall took the stand in his defense earlier this week. He said he closed his eyes “and pulled the trigger three to four times.”

Hall argued that the shots were fired because he thought Brewer was going to kill him.

The jury deliberated for two and a half hours before returning a guilty verdict on several counts — second-degree murder, robbery and two counts of armed criminal action.

Brewer’s mother, Veronica Brewer, said it has been a long three years, but Thursday’s verdict felt like justice.

“I was relieved,” Veronica Brewer said. “I was glad they found him guilty on all four counts. I was really happy.”

Veronica Brewer said her son was a caring person who loved to joke around.

Trent Brewer had a son of his own a month before he was killed. That boy will turn 3 in November.

The murder charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

News-Leader reporter Stephen Herzog contributed to this report.