Trial of man accused in drug-linked shooting starts

By Shar Porier
Herald/Review
Published/Last Modified on Tuesday, Jan 06, 2009 - 05:10:53 am MST

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BISBEE — The trial of a Sierra Vista man accused of shooting two men early Christmas morning in 2007 began Monday afternoon in the courtroom of Superior Court Judge James Conlogue.

Lawrence Devasio Hall, 32, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Charges of attempted murder were dismissed prior to the trial.

Hall allegedly shot 27-year-old Jesus Abril in the head and a 17-year old in the back, sending both to the hospital with non-life-threatening wounds. Abril was able to drive himself to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center but was transferred to Tucson Medical Center, where he spent four days recovering.

The truck Abril was driving had the passenger window shot out, and three bullet holes were found in the passenger-side door. A number of shell casing were found on the scene by Sierra Vista Police Officer Jason Packer, but no gun was found.

Hall was arrested by Tucson police several days later. He has a history of drug-related charges and had been sentenced to prison.

The testimony of Abril suggests the shooting was the result of a marijuana deal gone bad. He stated Hall wanted to buy some marijuana, so he met with Hall to deliver 50 pounds. Hall was supposed to pay for the marijuana at the time. Abril placed the package of pot in Hall’s trunk, but Hall left abruptly without paying.

Abril and two friends, all of whom were unarmed, gave chase and it took them to the parking lot of the Sierra Suites Hotel, the scene of the shooting.

Under cross-examination by defense attorney Ruben Teran, inconsistencies in Abril’s testimony were brought into question. At the preliminary hearing, Abril said 10 pounds of marijuana had been placed in Hall’s trunk. Abril would not name his contact in Sonora, Mexico, whom he said he met in Bisbee to secure the marijuana to sell.

The inconsistencies in his previous statements are due to his illegal dealing and the possibility of trouble coming from telling the truth, Abril said. Teran argues that Hall was not the shooter, that it’s a matter of mistaken identity. He has two witnesses. The trial is expected to last all week.

Herald/Review reporter Shar Porier can be reached at 515-4692 or by e-mail at shar.porier@bisbeereview.net.

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Mae wrote on Jan 6, 2009 9:20 AM:

" what did Abril and his friend they were going to do to get thier money after chasing Hall who had not paid for the drugs. There intent was to either beat Hall up or something so Hall was just shooting in self defense. why is Hall's defense attorney not smart enough to see that. "