After a two-day trial, the jury found Tony McCoy guilty of murder in the first degree and guilty for kidnapping of the late Terry Adams on Thursday. He was also found guilty of an additional charge for “felony possession of a firearm”.
The jury sentenced McCoy 30 years for the first-degree murder charge, 30 years for kidnapping, and 30 years for felony possession of a firearm, totaling 90 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections for McCoy. The jury recommended all sentencing be consecutive.
On Wednesday and Thursday of the trial, jurors heard from several witnesses and testimonies, as well as evidence that was presented to them.
In the closing arguments, the prosecuting attorney for the state Frank Spain, said witnesses reported Adams and McCoy were arguing about charges they both had received. One witness said McCoy forced Adams into the car trunk.
Adams’ shirt was found at a different place from where his body was found. The shirt had Adams’ blood on it. The prosecution said there were two shell casings found there also. They said Adams was shot four times.
The car that held Adams, which a witness identified, was set on fire.
The Defense attempted to cast doubt stating there was no physical evidence linking McCoy to the murder and no witnesses to the murder. The Defense stated the case was largely circumstantial with circumstantial evidence.
The Defense also attempted to cast doubt on the witnesses’ testimonies, saying some were convicted felons and had lied to the police at their first interview.
The Defense stated the prosecution failed in having physical evidence to the murder and having credible witnesses.
The prosecution countered those claims stating the bloody shirt and the shell casings were physical evidence. They also stated they told the jury the witnesses were felons.
After the jury finding McCoy guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and felony possession of a firearm, Adams’ daughter Emily Adams spoke before the jury stating how the murder had impacted her and her family.
McCoy was previously convicted of 13 felonies.
