GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Attorneys finished their closing arguments on Wednesday in the trial of a man from Steele Creek. Now, a jury is deliberating his fate.
[ PAST COVERAGE: Charlotte man on trial for murder of boyfriend after fatal shooting ]
Prosecutors said Tahj Wall shot Melvin Hopper in the back of the head in Gastonia in 2021, then drove around for six hours with Hopper’s body in the passenger seat.
“Tahj Wall executed Melvin Hopper,” prosecutor Kristen Northup said. “Melvin Hopper was still alive after the first shot was fired.”
She said Wall drove around for six hours with Hopper’s body in the passenger’s seat and showed the body two different people, including a neighbor from the Steele Creek community where Wall grew up.
Prosecutors said Wall offered her a ride then showed her the body in the front seat.
Wall’s attorney, James Exum, said Hopper often beat Wall loud enough that the neighbors heard. He said Hopper threatened Wall.
He said that threat was in Wall’s mind when he realized Hopper had a gun in the car.
“He feared for his life, because there was a gun and Melvin was reaching for it,” Exum said.
Prosecutors said there was no second gun.
The defense attorney said Wall drove around with the body because he was looking for help.
“I was going to turn myself in but I needed to talk to momma first,” Wall said, according to Exum.
Prosecutors said the evidence in the case doesn’t support the claim of self-defense.
Wall faces life in prison if a jury convicts him of murder.
Jurors have the option of finding Wall guilty of voluntary manslaughter.
They are due back in court Thursday morning.
No additional details have been made available.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates.
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