McKenzie is found guilty by a jury in Covington County murder case.

On Thursday afternoon, a Covington County jury deliberated less than 35 minutes before determining that Christopher Bradley Bush, 48 of McKenzie was guilty of murder in the shooting death of Josha James Mount in 2018. The body was discovered in the woods at the Hayslette’s Bridge, in the north end, Covington County, on August 3, 2018.

“I am very grateful for the jury’s efforts,” stated Walt Merrell, District Attorney.

Merrell was represented by Nikki Stephens, Assistant District Attorney, and Chief Assistant District Attorney Grace Jeter. Bush represented the State’s by Earnest White and Cierra white, and Wesley Pitters, Montgomery attorneys.

Court records show that Bush, Tammy Armstrong Bush and Joseph Vernon Armstrong were all arrested and charged with Mount’s murder. Bradley Bush was also charged.

Merrell stated that it was a very strenuous week. Merrell said, “It was an extremely strenuous week.”

Merrell opened the trial by calling a number of investigators from the Covington County Sheriff’s Office. Odom testified that Vernon Armstrong (Tammy’s father) walked out of the woods shortly after Meeks pulled up. Odom testified that Vernon Armstrong, Tammy’s father, pulled up shortly after Odom. All three were taken into custody for questioning.

Odom also testified that he received instructions to return towards Gantt in order to retrieve the 911 caller. Odom also stated that Jerry Ziglar, the 911 caller, told Odom that he was afraid to return to the scene because he would be hurt himself or his family. Later, Ziglar’s brother and his brother gave eyewitness accounts to law enforcement of the day.

Odom also stated that he continued to canvass the area and found two shotguns, and a partially hidden rifle in the woods south of the bridge.

Next, CCSO Deputy Cody Holmes stated that he found blood stains in the dirt parking lot and left drag marks. Holmes stated that they found the drag marks in a wooded area approximately 20 yards away. Holmes claimed that he found Mount’s body by entering the area between the briars and underbrush. Holmes checked for a pulse and heartbeat, but found none. Holmes stated that Mount was dead.

Joey Cato and Jerry Fields, both investigators with the CCSO, testified that they recovered various pieces of evidence. The State then turned to David Hamby, the primary investigator in the case. Hamby stated that he shot Mount out of fear that Mount would hurt Vernon Armstrong, who also went to the bridge.

Merrell called Vernon Armstrong to testify. His actions caused the death of another man .”

Armstrong stated that Bush and he were dropped off at Bridge because they received information that Mount, the Ziglar brothers’ daughter, had got their truck stuck at bridge.

Bush claimed that Mount turned towards Armstrong during his interview and that Armstrong couldn’t see Mount because of the large dirt pile between them. Bush said that Mount kept reaching for his pockets and “I didn’t know what he had.” Bush claimed that he shot Mount in order to save Armstrong’s lives.

ADA Nikki Stephens called Justin Ziglar and Bo Ziglar as eye witnesses. Both men confirmed that they went to Mount’s aid with the truck stuck in the mud. Both men stated that Armstrong appeared from the woods shouting and fired his gun in the air shortly after they left their vehicle. Justin Ziglar said that Mount ran up the hill to escape, and that he shot his gun into the air.

Armstrong’s testimony also confirms that Bush was the one who declared Mount Dead. Armstrong and the Ziglars also testified that Bush had declared that he would kill the Ziglars because they were witnesses.

Armstrong stated that Bush then dragged the body into the woods. They both placed the guns inside the woods and covered them in dirt and leaves.

Stephens called Robert Fulton, now retired, Butler County Sheriff’s Office investigator, to the stand. Fulton said that he informed Bradley Bush on the day Mount was killed that his truck had been stolen. It was completely destroyed and burned. Fulton testified that Bush said to Fulton after learning about the truck: “You better hope that you find that son of a bitch before me, because it won’t be good for me.”

Mount was killed by Bush’s hands a few hours later.

Merrell reminded jurors in his closing arguments that Bush and Armstrong agreed there was no clear line between Mount and Armstrong; Mount didn’t have a gun; and it was Bush and Armstrong that waited to attack Mount. It’s absurd to believe that this is a valid case of self-defense .”

Bush was convicted of intentional murder by the jury.

Circuit Court Judge Charles “Lex” Short presided. Bush has already shot two people. It is unacceptable that someone would value their truck as much as the life of another person. This kind of man or his vigilante justice span are not welcome in civilized society.

The post Covington County jury convicts McKenzie man in 2018 murder case appeared originally on The AndalusiaStar-News.