Chris Ferrell Takes the Stand in the Wayne Mills Murder Trial (#8)
Scene from the courthouse in downtown Nashville.
Despite five to six inches of sleet and snow in the Nashville area, and most government offices remaining closed including the municipal courts, the court of Judge Steve Dozier was open to proceed with the Wayne Mills murder trial. Judge Dozier is known for opening his court no matter what the circumstances. The court came in session at roughly 11:00 a.m. after a weather delay.
With the prosecution resting on Wednesday afternoon, Thursday’s proceedings began with the defense calling its witnesses. The first witness called was an individual subpoenaed by the prosecution but not called, 24-year-old Nadia Markum. Nadia was the girlfriend of musician T.J. Howard. Markham, T.J. Howard, and Howard’s manager Susan Branham were the three witnesses that left the Pit and Barrel bar right before the shooting. Nadia Markham had been dating T.J. Howard for roughly three or four months at the time.
Nadia Markum testified that the party of three arrived at the Pit and Barrel bar at roughly 3:30 PM for the after hours party. Nadia said on a scale of one to ten, both T.J. Howard and herself were an “eight or nine” as far as drunkenness. Susan Branham was the sober designated driver. Nadia mentioned that Jamey Johnson was at the Pit and Barrel bar that night—the first mention that he may have been there. But there’s no other record of Jamey Johnson attending the party. Neither the prosecution nor the defense challenged that Jamey Johnson was there. Nadia also said she had never met Wayne Mills until that night.
Nadia Markum testified that for most of the time at the Pit and Barrel, her and T.J. Howard mostly kept to themselves. At one point they went into a bathroom and had “relations.” She then testified that Wayne Mills and Chris Ferrell were yelling at each other right before she left, but that she didn’t remember the specifics on the argument because she was drunk. She did remember Wayne Mills throwing down a glass and it being “very loud.” Right after they left the Pit and Barrel bar, she’s remembered hearing three shots. She never saw Wayne Mills outside the bar.
After Markum, T.J. Howard, and Susan Branham drove away, Susan called Chris Ferrell on the phone. They spoke on speakerphone for four minutes, but Markum didn’t remember much of the conversation beyond Chris Ferrell being “hysterical.” They came back after about ten minutes and parked “a block or two away.” Then then walked up to the bar to talk to the police.
It was also revealed through Nadia Markum’s testimony that in the days after the shooting, Chris Ferrell stayed at Susan Branham’s house briefly.
During cross examination of Nadia Markum, Assistant District Attorney Wesley King explained that when being interviewed by police, Markum said, “All that Wayne Mills did was smoke a cigarette.” She also said to investigators that Wayne Mills was trying to leave when he was shot.
Nadia Markum on the Witness Stand:
Then the defendant Chris Ferrell took the stand. He first explained that he had known Wayne Mills for about ten years, and had opened the Pit and Barrel bar in January of 2013. He borrowed money from his parents to open the bar. He did not attend the George Jones tribute concert earlier on the night of the shooting, but went downtown to another bar called The Palm near the Bridgestone Arena. There he met up with Nadia Markum, T.J. Howard, and Susan Branham. They then went to the Full Moon Saloon and met up with Wayne Mills and watched Shooter Jennings perform. “Shooter became a friend of mine over the years,” said Ferrell.
Ferrell testified that he had “maybe three” drinks at the Full Moon Saloon, and “maybe one” at the Pit and Barrel. He also explained that he purchase the .22 pistol used in the shooting at a gun show, and had the pistol, and a .45 revolver at the bar “for self-defense.”
At one point it was brought up that Shooter Jennings was allowed to smoke at the bar. Ferrell said he allowed Shooter to smoke “because I was still wanting Shooter Jennings to play at the bar.” He later described the decision as a “double standard.”
Chris Ferrell testified that he noticed a mood changed with Wayne Mills when he heard Mills shout, “I can’t get a cab. There’s no whores, and no fucking cocaine here. Why am I here?” At the time, Ferrell was walking around the bar and turning the lights out to get ready to leave. Then Wayne lit a cigarette.
Ferrell told Mills to put the cigarette out and Mills refused, ashing the cigarette on the top of the bar and saying that he helped “build this bar.” Then Chris Ferrell reached across the bar and grabbed the cigarette out of Wayne’s mouth, crushed it, and threw it on the floor. Then according to Ferrell’s testimony, Wayne Mills said, “If you ever take a cigarette from me again, I will kill you,” but with profanity.
Chris Ferrell then told Wayne Mills to leave. Mills did not leave immediately, but when he did make his way to the door, Ferrell testified that he said to Wayne who was holding a drink, “Wayne, you can’t take that fucking drink with you.”
Then according to Ferrell, Wayne Mills responded, “If you talk to me like that again, I’m going to fucking kill you.” Mills then threw his glass down, breaking it and making a loud noise, and said, “You know what, I’m going to fucking kill you.” Ferrell then said, “I fired in fear.”
Chris Ferrell testified that he was standing equally between the two guns—the .22 he used to shoot Wayne Mills, and the .45 revolver—-and that he didn’t consciously choose either. He also stated that he didn’t see Wayne, but was just shooting at the corner while in a state of shock.
Wayne then fell outside the door of the Pit and Barrel, and then Chris testified he went around the bar and then paused before opening the door outside because “I didn’t know if anyone was still there.” He still had the .22 in his hand. He then saw Wayne laying on the ground, and went over to “check” him, and noticed he was bleeding from his head. Before he dragged Wayne Mills back into the bar, he went into the bar to put down his .22 pistol. Ferrell claims he brought Mills back into the bar because, “I thought I could take better care of him there.”
Then according to Chris Ferrell’s testimony, he inspected Wayne’s torso looking for a weapon. He then looked near the door of the Pit and Barrel, and only found Wayne’s cell phone. “I panicked. I believed he had a weapon, and I couldn’t find one,” Ferrell said.
Defense attorney David Raybin then began asking questions of Chris Ferrell that revealed the mistakes Ferrell made after the shooting. Raybin asked Ferrell why he didn’t call 911 when he found Wayne’s phone. Ferrell answered he “never thought” of it. Raybin asked Ferrell why he picked up the .45 revolver, unloaded it, and put it on the table where Wayne Mills had been sitting at, and Ferrel responded, “I picked it up…because I had just shot someone that was unarmed.”
David Raybin asked what aid Ferrell was rendering to Wayne Mills while he was dealing with the .45 revolver. Ferrell responded, “I wasn’t.” Rabin asked that when Ferrell finally did call 911, if he was truthful with the operator. “No sir,” Ferrell responded. Ferrell had a big white dog who was running free right after the shooting, and he attempted to get the dog under control. Raybin asked, “Were you paying more attention to your dog than Wayne Mills?” After and extended pause, and showing emotion, Chris Ferrell answered, “Yes.”
David Raybin asked Chris Ferrell if he disputed any of the testimony from any of the police officers or crime scene investigators. Ferrell responded, “No.”
As Chris Ferrell was placing the .45 revolver on the table where Wayne Mills had been sitting, Susan Branham called him on his cell phone. This was the four-minute conversation where Ferrell was characterized as being “hysterical.” After the conversation, Susan advised Chris Ferrell call 911, which he did.
Also during Chris Ferrell’s testimony, it was revealed that he had been handcuffed in the front and placed in a squad car at some point before being driven to the Central Precinct station to be interviewed. “Did you lie to Mr. Peck [the lead detective] when you started the interview?” defense attorney David Raybin asked Chris Ferrell on the witness stand. “Yes,” Chris Ferrell responded.
During cross examination by the prosecution, it was pointed out that Chris Ferrell never told Detective Peck about the “cocaine, whores” quote that was characterized by the defense as the first time anger was evidenced by Wayne Mills. Assistant District Attorney Wesley King also pointed out through cross examination that Chris Ferrell had been trained medically as a first responder when he worked as a firefighter in Arizona, but didn’t call on any of those skills to help save Wayne Mills. It was also pointed out that during Ferrell’s testimony to Detective Peck, Chris said that he brought Wayne Mills back into the bar because “he” (meaning Chris Ferrell) was cold.
Wesley King also brought up the Spike TV Bar Rescue episode about the BoondoxXx bar that became the Pit and Barrel. Though the defense characterized Chris Ferrell as being tidy with his bar (and the reason he was against smoking), the Bar Rescue episode showed the bar before it was remodeled as a filthy establishment, with rat droppings on the floor, serving undercooked meat, and Chris Ferrell yelling profanity at employees. Ferrell’s response was, “It’s a TV Show.”
The court took a lunch recess during the Chris Ferrell testimony. Next the defense called private investigator Larry Flair, who walked the jury once again through the crime scene, but didn’t offer any new revelations in the case. Larry Flair was also the individual who found the extra bullet police investigators missed. Flair’s ability to testify on certain elements of the case had been challenged by the prosecution.
After some procedural arguments were heard about jury instructions, the court recessed for 10 minutes, and prepared for closing arguments.
UPDATE: Because of the weather and other concerns, the court and attorneys have decided to adjourn for the evening. Jamey Johnson was in attendance to hear the closing arguments.
Chris Ferrell being examined by defense attorney David Raybin.
March 5, 2015 @ 3:41 pm
Just in case you didn’t see the update, because of weather and other concerns, the court decided to adjourn instead of hearing closing arguments today. Friday, closing arguments will be done, and then the jury will begin deliberating.
March 5, 2015 @ 3:56 pm
Trigger,
Thanks for being in the courthouse and giving everyone a glimpse of what is going on. Thank you for everything! You’re a great man!
March 5, 2015 @ 4:24 pm
What a high class witness, having sex in a bathroom. They just magically left out after the glass breaking but before the shots? Changes her story after talking with police? Don’t you figure that 4 minute conversation was to get the low straight before police were called? And HE watched his friend die? He was more worried about his lie than his friends life. What trash. Wayne was so much a better person and deserves better friends. I’m just gonna say Karma. Life always come full circle so this little group should sure be dreading the future.
I pray for Carol and Jack. I pray for all of Wayne’s friends. I hope Justice comes swiftly and strong. Thanks for the coverage.
March 5, 2015 @ 5:01 pm
Thank you so much for these updates. It has given those who can’t attend a front row seat. And thank you Jamey, as it appears you are going to stand by Carol when they take this POS and put him where belongs. And it just confirms that defense lawyers truly are sleazy… But I betcha this was an expensive sleazball!! Too bad for his mama…LOL
March 5, 2015 @ 6:15 pm
Thank you so much for keeping us up to date on this trial. I was raised around this family and grew up with Wayne’s nephews and nieces. I remember being around Wayne as a young girl and the only thing that ever scared me about him was his height. I am only 5 foot now and I am 33 years old so you could imagine what it was like when i was 13. Any who, thank you so much, I have read every article from day one and I love this website. Still saddens me that this big teddy bear was taken by a quick to shoot so called friend. I hope he gets the justice he so deserves. We people down in Arab that can’t be there greatly appreciate all coverage by everyone and especially you.
Best Regards, Misty.
March 5, 2015 @ 7:59 pm
I hope this punk gets what he deserves. He let Wayne lay there and was on the phone trying to get his story straight. I hope the jury sees all of the twists that this guy has been saying. I truly hope Carol and Jack know how much they are loved and thought about. Truly a great man gone way too early.
March 5, 2015 @ 8:21 pm
Trig,you are better than anyone on HLN.
On a different note,is pointer with ya on this trip? Think you’ll have time for any sight seeing?
March 5, 2015 @ 9:08 pm
Ha! Unfortunately, Pointer is too busy pecking at keys to do any sightseeing, and it’s 17 degree out right now. Maybe next time through.
March 5, 2015 @ 10:03 pm
I would like to clarify, that despite Ms. Marcum’s statement, I was nowhere near an “8-9” on a scale of 1-10 of being intoxicated. Furthermore, I will stand by my statement that whatever she says happened in the restroom that night, certainly did not. I’m more angry about these statements which are misleading, making me look foolish after I’ve given the same testimony from the morning this incident occurred until I testified in court. Thank you
March 6, 2015 @ 1:50 am
If you really are the TJ from the case, I actually really feel for ya bud. It’s a tragic situation all around.
March 6, 2015 @ 7:27 am
Having sat through this entire court case, I can say for certainty that there were numerous points presented by Ms. Markum that do not sync up with other facts in the case. I’m not saying she’s lying. She admitted to being really drunk and fuzzy on details of the night. But everyone should consider that when reading about her testimony.
March 6, 2015 @ 12:30 pm
In response to TJ’s statement….. sadly, her statements put you on a very shady light. I understand that there are women in this world who will lie their way into importance by sleeping with or supposedly sleeping with a musician. I’m hoping for your sake and reputation’s sake that you have distances yourself from this woman. Whether it happened or not, she made herself look extremely bad, putting herself in a “band whore” role. She also made the timing seem like yall were more of a witness to the incident that was originally stated. Once this trial is over, I hope that you release an official statement on this. I took into account how drunk she said she was. And I wasn’t there, so I can’t say who is telling the truth but I tend to not believe what she’s said for the most part because what she said didn’t match what anybody else has testified to. For your sake tho, remember that there was a 4 minute phone call going on with somebody in that car while a man lay dying. Seems like human life wasn’t any more important to the person on that phone than it was to the Murderer in this case.
Trigger, please tell Carol that we are all praying and that she is loved more than she knows. She’s the strongest woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. I’m just waiting to hear he’s been found guilty and sentenced to the maximum possible.
March 6, 2015 @ 1:43 am
This series of articles represents some of your finest work, Trigger.
Thanks.
March 6, 2015 @ 8:20 am
Your coverage has been so very thorough, but summarizing is always difficult and I have questions that I was hoping you could answer. There are things that I’m hoping have been covered that just haven’t made into any media coverage.
Has there been any mention by the prosecution that self defense can’t be used as a reason for innocence if the killer either instigated the incident and/or escalated it? Chris has said he removed a cigarette. Others have said he “smacked” it out of his hand. Either was an instigation. With his yelling and cussing back at an angry Wayne, he certainly escalated as opposed to an attempt to defuse.
Also, Chris has been asked about how many beers he had to drink but only later in the night. There were witnesses with him prior at The Palm. Why no question about his consumption then? He may have already been very drunk by later in the night.
Third, Chris does not seem to have been pressed enough about the back of the head shooting and crime scene inspectors and medical examiner don’t appear to have been questioned about the downward trajectory of a bullet in the head of a 6’4″ man.
These several things have heavy impact on overcoming a self defense claim. Was hoping maybe you could answer whether the prosecution has addressed them.
March 6, 2015 @ 6:49 pm
I recorded the bar rescue show that Chris was on, which hasn’t been aired since it was accidentally shown. You could see the devil in that man. The way he spoke to women and his employees was absolutely disgusting. What an awful person. He truly has evil in him. We had to delete the show because it only made my husband madder and madder watching this demonic man, who killed our friend.