UPDATED 12:15 p.m. | Jurors deliberating murder charges against Scotty Allen heard two theories in closing arguments Friday as to how Juan Nash died in a hail of gang-related gunfire.
Allen is charged with first degree murder in the April 2, 2019, shooting of Nash during an incident on Orchard Road in Bloomington.
"The defendant was a man on a mission," First Assistant State’s Attorney Brad Rigdon told jurors. "His mission was vengeance. But on the street, if you can’t get to your target, you go after the family."
The target of Allen’s alleged vengeance was Kajuan Hobson, a man Allen and members of the FMB 200 gang believed was behind the killing of Trevonte Kirkwood, said Rigdon. Instead, Allen went looking for Hobson’s brother, Juan Nash, said the prosecutor.
The shooting death of a second man, Steven Alexander, also has been mentioned as possible source for the alleged retaliation.
Nash’s death was years in the making, said Rigdon, as feuds boiled between the FMG 200 and the rival Black Disciples.
Social media posts showing Allen and others with guns before the incident, combined with statements from witnesses, point to Allen’s plan to kill Nash, said Rigdon.
Defense's closing arguments
In his closing remarks in the weeklong trial, defense lawyer Phil Finegan said the case is filled with reasonable doubt.
Threats and pressure leveled against witness Shawndell Wright put the veracity of his testimony in doubt, said Finegan.
Wright told Bloomington Police detective Jered Bierbaum he relied on Allen’s past possession of guns and his aggressive demeanor to form an opinion about his role in the shooting. Wright alleged police threatened to add obstruction of justice charges to a pending criminal case if he did not cooperate in the murder investigation.
The defense also reminded the McLean County jury that Allen, who was shot multiple times, had no gunshot residue detected on his hands after the shooting.
Nash fired 14 rounds before he managed to drive away and later crashed into a house.
Rigdon contends the firearm residue may have been removed when Allen took off his sweatshirt en route to the hospital.
Questions also exist as to who fired the rounds from at least three guns used during the incident, said Finegan.
“What evidence do we have to show who had what gun? There are questions everywhere. Everywhere,” said the defense lawyer.
Rigdon asked jurors to reject Finegan’s accusations against policy.
“This is not the police did wrong. This is Scotty Allen did wrong,” said Rigdon.
The jury began deliberations about 11:30 a.m. Friday.
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