Murder trial starts

Published 9:37 am Wednesday, September 29, 2010

COURTLAND—A Southampton County jury on Tuesday began hearing the case against a Newsoms man accused of fatally shooting another man in 2009.

Troy Mayfield, 29, is accused of fatally shooting 20-year-old Brandon Keith Turner at an apartment complex on Oak Trail in Courtland on the night of March 3.

It wasn’t the first time Turner had been shot at the complex. In May 2008, Eric Parker of Franklin shot Turner at point blank range.

Southampton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Cooke said Parker is Mayfield’s brother and the fatal shooting occurred after Turner testified against Parker at a preliminary hearing.

“Troy Mayfield was feeling the pressure of his brother’s trial for shooting Brandon Turner the first time,” Cooke said.

Michael Rosenberg, Mayfield’s court-appointed attorney, told jurors there was “absolutely no physical evidence” linking Mayfield to the murder.