Left: Demontra Collins (Hamilton County Jail). Right: Jamel Sutton (Hardwick Funeral Home).
A Tennessee detective reportedly testified that a homicide suspect was pretty straightforward after shooting a man earlier this year.
“I”m coming in,” the suspect allegedly said during a phone call, adding that the victim “ain’t coming back.”
Demontra Collins, 34, stands accused of criminal homicide in the death of 27-year-old Jamel Sutton on May 14 in Chattanooga. Cops responded shortly before 4 p.m. to a call about a shooting in the 1200 block of North Hickory Street, a press release said. When officers arrived they found Sutton suffering from gunshot wounds. He was rushed to the hospital, where he died.
Detectives determined Sutton was buckling a child’s car seat into the back of the vehicle when Collins drove by and saw him. The two had reportedly been fighting. Collins parked and walked up to the victim. At some point, the two men started shooting at each other. Sutton was hit by the gunfire, Collins was not, according to police. Collins drove to another location where he called cops to report the shooting, claiming he fired in self-defense.
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But cops arrested Collins on a criminal homicide charge.
Last week, a judge determined there was enough evidence for the case to move to a higher court, records show. According to a courtroom report from Chattanoogan.com, a police detective testified that Collins said during a phone call after the shooting that “I’m coming in” and the victim “ain’t coming back.”
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The victim and his girlfriend reportedly worked with Collins at a club. She said Sutton picked her up, as well as her children, all under the age of 4, and drove to a house where the shooting eventually occurred. Sutton was fiddling with the car seat when Collins suddenly appeared in a white Jeep, per Chattanoogan.com. Collins reportedly hopped out of the Jeep with a gun in his hand and started firing.
Cops reportedly said Collins squeezed off as many as 12 rounds, while Sutton fired twice.
Collins’ attorney said a couple of days before the shooting, Sutton pointed a gun at his client. The attorney reportedly said his client thought Sutton was reaching for a gun in the car when he drove by.
None of the kids were injured.
The defendant posted a $250,000 bond and is currently on house arrest.
