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Guilty verdict for Beaumont man convicted of manslaughter in 2017 shooting

The trial began this week and the jury started hearing testimonies Tuesday morning.

BEAUMONT, Texas — A Beaumont man was found guilty of manslaughter for his role in the August 2017 shooting death of his childhood friend, according to court records.

Deremick Hunter was given a 10-year prison sentence probated. The sentence means he is on probation for the next 10 years, but if he violates his probation he goes to prison. 

Hunter must serve 180 days in prison upfront, then probation begins. He will get 30 days credit for days he has already spent behind bars.

The conditions of his probation are to be determined. The judge is ordering a post-sentencing hearing. 

Prosecutors said Hunter shot and killed Everett Mitchell Jr. in 2017. Mitchell's body was found at a home in the 5000 block of Brace Drive, according to a 12News file story. Hunter was 33 years old at the time of the arrested.

The trial began this week and the jury started hearing testimonies Tuesday morning.

Hunter told the jury that he and Mitchell had known each other for more than 20 years. Hunter testified that the gun went off as the victim was handing him the weapon. 

One of Hunter's friends told the defense team about a similar shooting incident at a casino. The friend said Mitchell accidentally shot a hole in the building's ceiling. He said the non-related shooting of Mitchell was also an accident.

RELATED: Family of murder victim holds memorial to honor Beaumont man

RELATED: Loved ones celebrate the life of Everett Mitchell Jr. as the anniversary of his death approaches

Credit: Jefferson County Sherrif's Office

OPENING STATEMENTS

The prosecution, in opening statements, told jury members they’ll hear testimony from the victim’s mother about a phone call she got from the defendant who told her that her son had been shot, from officers who said the defendant told them the shooter was a woman, and from witnesses that tell a different story.

The defense told jurors that they will hear about relationships between some of the key players involved, that the defendant and victim were drinking that day, and said the defendant is looking forward to explaining all that happened the day Hunter was killed. Opening statements wrapped up at 10:45 a.m.

DEREMICK HUNTER TAKES THE STAND

Hunter took the stand in his own defense Thursday. He testified that he knew the victim for more than 20 years. He talked about playing ball, spending time with each other, and later working together when they grew up. He said he went to the victim’s house the day of the shooting. The prosecutor asked him if he knew the only way the victim could have received the wound that he had is if the gun was pressed to his chest.  Hunter said "yes."  The prosecutor asked if he was still sticking with the story that the gun went off as the victim was handing him the weapon. He said "yes."

VICTIM’S MOTHER TAKES THE STAND

The first person to take the stand is the victim’s mother.  She testified that her son and the defendant have been friends since elementary school. The mother said the defendant had spent the night with her son many times. 

She said the defendant was at her house visiting her son the night of the shooting.  They went outside and had a discussion in the driveway.  She did not know anything had happened until she got a call saying a woman had shot her son.  She gave tearful testimony as she described going outside and seeing her son lying on the ground.  

OTHER WITNESSES TAKE THE STAND

An attorney who said he grabbed his gun and was afraid he might have to fire on a crowd of people to protect himself is the first person to testify in the manslaughter trial of Hunter who is accused of the 2017 homicide.

Other witnesses who took the stand during the trial include a man and wife who said they saw the suspect’s vehicle fleeing the area and a Beaumont Police officer whose body cam video was played in court.  Audio from the bodycam contained conversations between police and witnesses.

Another witness testified that Mitchell and the defendant had been friends since they were children. She testified that she was surprised that Hunter had accused her of being the killer.  She testified that she is angry and very sad that she was accused of being the killer.

The defense called one of Mitchell's friends to testify as a witness Thursday afternoon. He testified that he was good friends with the victim. He testified that Hunter had an accident with a gun, not related to the killing, in which he shot a hole in the ceiling at a casino. He was asked if the non-related shooting of Mitchell was also an accident and he said "yes."

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