The Huntsville Item, Huntsville, TX

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November 14, 2009

Seven witnesses testify in TDCJ murder trial

Seven more witnesses took the stand Friday in the capital murder trial of TDCJ inmate Jerry Duane Martin at the Leon County Courthouse in Centerville.

Among the witnesses were City of Huntsville employees who witnessed the collision of a truck driven by Martin and a horse carrying corrections officer Susan Canfield, as well as a Walker County sheriff’s deputy, who was one of the first to respond to the escape call.

According to Walker County District Attorney David Weeks, the court heard testimony from City of Huntsville employee Billy Wilson, who described witnessing the collision of the truck and the horse outside the City Service Center on state Highway 75 North.

Canfield was killed by the impact.

Also testifying was city employee Jay Miller, who, after witnessing the collision, followed Martin and fellow offender John Ray Falk from the City Service Center.

As the two offenders escaped in the truck, a City of Huntsville sign installation vehicle, Miller gave pursuit while dialing 911.

Sgt. Brian Smallwood of the Walker County Sheriff’s Office also testified. Smallwood, who was a sheriff’s deputy at the time of the accident, gave chase and exchanged gunfire with Martin and Falk after they dumped the city truck and hijacked a truck and its driver at a bank on state Highway 30 in Huntsville.

Some 30 total witnesses are expected to be called in the trial.

Weeks said the trial is expected to continue at 9 a.m. Monday morning.

Among the witnesses Monday will be the medical examiner who performed Canfield’s autopsy.

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