Graphic video, new details emerge on 1st day of trial for woman accused of killing friend at point-blank range
Jurors viewed key evidence, including dozens of surveillance videos and police bodycam footage from officers who responded to the scene.
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Opening statements set the stage for an intense first day in the trial of Claudia Banton, the woman accused of fatally shooting Delia Johnson on a Crown Heights sidewalk in August 2021.
Prosecutors argue that Banton is the woman seen in surveillance video walking up to Johnson and shooting her in the head.
The defense is challenging that claim, arguing that the video does not clearly identify Banton as the shooter.
Defense attorney Jonathan Strauss also pointed out that prosecutors have not presented a motive, a murder weapon or the clothing the suspect was wearing.
Jurors viewed key evidence, including dozens of surveillance videos and police bodycam footage from officers who responded to the scene.
The graphic footage showed the chaotic moments after the shooting—people screaming, crying, and running—as officers performed CPR on Johnson.
Johnson’s mother was not in court, but a close friend attended. She became emotional each time graphic footage was shown.
"It was really, really hard to watch. And I'm pretty much happy that she is not here," the friend said.
Testimony from responding officers of the 77th Precinct revealed that police were originally looking for a man in a white shirt and blue pants, seen leaving in a white Mercedes SUV.
When they later stopped the SUV, they found a woman behind the wheel and let her go—only realizing later that she was the suspect.
"It's upsetting," Johnson’s family friend, who requested to stay anonymous said. "But at the same time, they had a different description. If they would have had a proper description, they would have had her right then and there."
Johnson’s mother previously told News 12 she believes her daughter was set up.
"People kept calling to see if she was going to this particular funeral," she said.
The trial is set to continue this week, with Johnson’s sisters expected to testify.
