GETTYSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -
A man who witnessed the killing of wildlife conservation officer David Grove said he saw Christopher Johnson fire three shots as he hid under a pickup truck.
Ryan Lauman told jurors at Johnson's murder trial in Adams County court Wednesday that Grove had stopped him and Johnson for illegally killing a deer along Shrivers Road in Freedom Township the night of November 11, 2010.
Lauman testified that he told Johnson, "We're going to get in trouble. We shot a deer. We're going to be in some trouble." He said that Johnson replied, "I got you, but I'm not going back to jail."
Lauman said Johnson told him that he had a .45-caliber handgun on him and he replied, "There's nothing you can do, they're going to take it from you."
Lauman told the court that Johnson and Grove began scuffling as the game warden ordered Johnson to get on the ground. He said both men soon opened fire and Johnson fell and yelled "I'm hit."
He testified that Johnson then stood up, grabbed his keys and got back into the truck while Grove was motionless on the ground. Lauman said he got into the pickup truck with Johnson, but later asked to be let out and jumped from a Route 15 overpass when they came to a stop sign.
Throughout Lauman's
testimony, he made it clear that Johnson did not appear intoxicated
during the shooting incident. During opening statements, the defense
claimed Johnson was drunk, and couldn't see clearly where he was
shooting.
Prosecutors allege that Johnson deliberately shot at Grove 15 times and killed the warden to avoid going back to jail, since Johnson was a convicted felon who was not allowed to have a gun.
The 31-year-old Grove sustained three gunshot wounds, including a fatal wound to the neck. Ten rounds from his gun were recovered from the shooting scene.
Johnson, 29, of Fairfield, sustained a gunshot wound to the hip in the shootout and was arrested at a hunting cabin after an 11-hour manhunt.
Adams County District Attorney Shawn Wagner has said he will pursue the death penalty if Johnson is convicted.
Christopher Johnson
David Grove
