LEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — Note: WALB will livestream opening statements, testimony, and closing statements in this story. We will also stream a recap of the day’s events at 7 p.m. each evening as the trial progresses.

The state called its first set of witnesses in the trial of a man accused of shooting and killing a mother and daughter in 2024. The defendant, Marcus Butts, is representing himself and cross-examined the state’s witnesses.

Butts faces an 18-count indictment that includes several counts of malice and felony murder, aggravated assault, theft by taking, and other charges.

State describes how victims were found

District Attorney Lewis Lamb said in opening statements that several cartridges recovered from the scene were tested by the GBI. He said the results showed an identical match to other casings provided by the original owner of the stolen weapon.

Lamb says all the evidence in the case points to Butts.

“When you look at the sum total of that evidence, that it leads to only one conclusion. And that conclusion is that Marcus Butts is a cold-blooded, heartless murderer who pointed a pistol in the face of his 17-year-old girlfriend from a foot and a half away and put a bullet in her brain. And who tied up her mother and put a bullet in her brain.”

Butts admitted involvement in the stolen weapon incident. He said he and Julianna Thompson sold the weapon before she and her mother were found dead.

“When you’re in a relationship with your girlfriend then, you’re gonna be the first suspect,” Butts said. “No physical evidence that he killed them folks.”

“They ain’t got nothing to do with me if me and Juliana sold this gun,” Butts said.

Boyfriend testifies

Jessica Thompson’s boyfriend, Vance Turner, testified he had not heard from her in a few days. He said he called her mother, who went to the apartment and found both women dead in the bathtub, shot to death.

Officer testifies about response to 911 call

A Smithville police officer, by the name of Michel Francis, who responded to the 911 call testified that a condom was found by the front door of the home. That’s significant because it might have had DNA evidence that would put him at the scene.

“I can’t be able to tell you exactly how far it was from the door. I just remember it was right there when you first walked into the building,” Michel Francis said.

When Butts cross-examined the officer, he asked if the officer knew him. That led to questions about multiple calls the officer had received about Butts in Smithville.

Medical examiner testifies

A former GBI medical examiner also testified about the gunshot injuries to the heads of both Jessica and Julianna Thompson.

VIEW TRIAL RECAPS FROM EACH DAY BELOW:

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