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GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — During the opening day of Jordan Allen’s murder trial, the defense and prosecution presented contrasting approaches to the jury.
Allen stands accused of the April 2022 murders of his 7-year-old brother, Jessie Allen, and his grandmother, Sherry Cole, in Greene County. At the time, Allen was 16 years old.
Charged with two counts of first-degree murder, Allen’s case was transferred to criminal court to be tried as an adult, despite him being a minor when the alleged crimes occurred.
Once the jury was assembled on Monday, both sides made emotional appeals. The defense team, consisting of public defender Todd Estep and Ally Richie, portrayed Allen as a “traumatized, exhausted, and isolated child” who was coerced into confessing to crimes he did not commit.
The defense referred to 2022 court filings that stated Allen confessed to Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) agents about the murders of his brother and grandmother, allegedly admitting he had planned the acts.
Prosecutors relied on that alleged confession in their opening arguments.
Allen’s defense also told jurors about his own account of April 24, 2022. Allen alleged that his grandfather, Bill Cole, killed Jessie Allen and Sherry Cole.
Three witnesses were called to the stand on Monday to either testify to Allen’s character and upbringing or recount their experiences related to the deaths.
One of the witnesses who testified on Monday was Greene County sheriff’s deputy Rick Williams, who is also the brother of Sherry Cole. Williams arrived at the scene the night of the alleged murders as an off-duty officer.
“They were both just facedown, side by side,” Williams said. “And I know what death looks like, so I stepped away and continued talking to 911, telling them we needed everybody and just get everyone out there to help.”
Williams also said he did not believe Bill Cole was responsible for the deaths of Jessie Allen and Sherry Cole. According to Williams, he had never witnessed Bill Cole raise his voice or lose his temper toward his wife or grandsons.
The trial will continue on Tuesday at 9 a.m.