MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Was he a scared teen or a calculated killer? Dewoyne Gwynn is on trial for the murder of Kelvin Cooper, who was doused in gasoline and burned alive by two men in December 2009.
The state says Gwynn was one of those men, but the defense team says their client didn't know what he was doing.
On Thursday, May 10, the third day of testimony, the state rested its case. They painted a picture of a teen who knew exactly what he was doing, from hiding his face to hiding a gun.
From the start of the trial, Gwynn hasn't been able to keep still; he's been constantly penning notes and communicating with counsel.
A friend of the accused killer told jurors Gwynn was laid back, even on the day of the murder.
When questioned by the defense, witness Alfredo Freeman said Gwynn wasn't the type of person he'd ever expect to see with a gun.
On December 14, 2009, Freeman's opinion quickly changed. The day Cooper was beaten and set on fire, Freeman received a phone call from Gwynn, asking for a favor.
"The favor was to hold a concealed weapon for a few days," Freeman testified. "I asked him 'What's the gun for?' He was in a rush."
The concealed weapon turned out to be a hunting rifle wrapped in a comforter that he hid in his closet. Police say Gwynn used the rifle to hold Cooper hostage while the other defendant, Markayle Jackson, went to buy gasoline.
Freeman then positively identified the rifle for the courtroom.
Prosecutors say this wasn't the only deliberate action on Gwynn's part. Brian Clements saw two men with the beige car moments before it exploded. He was able to identify Markayle Jackson from a photo lineup, but never got a glimpse of the other teen's face.
Prosecuting attorney Ray Lepone asked, "The second individual, did you get a look at that person?"
"No," answered Clements, "they seemed to be aware that someone was coming, so they quickly hid their face. They ducked down."
Markayle Jackson was also brought to court to testify Thursday but he refused. The defense could still call him to the stand.
Jackson pled guilty a few weeks ago and is now serving life in prison without parole.
