Defense says more happened at Tin Roof before Austin Turner’s death that’s not on video
“Seeing the video was very difficult to watch, but also at the same time it is everything that we already knew to be true.”
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - For the first time, the family of 26-year-old Austin Turner saw video of his last conscious moments at a Demonbreun Street bar.
Turner died weeks later at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. His family said he was punched by a security guard at Tin Roof. That security guard, Richard Cornelius, was in court on Wednesday where the video of the fight was played.
When Cornelius appeared in a Davidson County courtroom on Wednesday, he and Turner’s family watched the surveillance video.
It shows Cornelius throwing about five punches at Turner as he left Tin Roof. However, Ben Powers, Cornelius’ defense attorney, said Turner threw the first punch, therefore Cornelius acted in self-defense.
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Witnesses, including the Metro Nashville Police Department detective who responded days after the incident, said there is more that took place that is not on video.
“He told me that Mr. Turner had been removed from the bar previously and had somehow gotten back into the location,” said Detective Kevin Reynolds with MNPD.
Another security guard, Bailey Silcox, said the first time Turner left he was peaceful. He said it’s when he came back a second time, he was more hostile.
“Mr. Turner started to push through like he was going to push through Mr. Cornelius to further himself into the bar,” testified Silcox. “Mr. Cornelius stayed in front of him continuously telling him to leave, just kept in front of him.”
The defense also tried to prove Turner hurt Cornelius. They brought photos and had witnesses testify to show Cornelius’ shirt was torn. While Reynolds wouldn’t say Turner tore Cornelius’ shirt, he did recount Cornelius told him Turner shoved him into a door frame which injured his leg.
The State went back to the surveillance video and said it proved their point.
“Mr. Turner is leaving,” said Megan King, Assistant District Attorney. “Mr. Turner’s back is to the defendant when the defendant pursues him further. When he begins swinging and hitting him, resulting in punching him, which ultimately results in his death.”
In the end, the judge sent the case to the Grand Jury who will decide if it goes to trial. The defense said what matters is what is not on camera.
“We feel like it was a good day for us because we feel like there is more to the story that has now been presented,” said Powers. “We now know what was going on inside the bar that we don’t see on camera.”
As for Turner’s family, they want proof of what took place inside the bar the first time.
“They keep saying that there was an altercation in the bar,” said Josh Turner, Austin Turner’s dad. “Let’s see that videotape of that in the bar.”
His stepmom, Meagan Turner, agrees and wants to see more videos, however, she said she is happy with how the court date went.
“I’m satisfied with today,” said Meagan Turner, Austin Turner’s stepmom. “Seeing the video was very difficult to watch, but also at the same time it is everything that we already knew to be true.”
Cornelius is charged with aggravated assault. That could change should the Grand Jury make the decision.
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