Man charged in shooting at Brownstone Social Lounge takes stand during trial; jury deliberations begin
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- Jury deliberations have begun in the homicide trial of Krystal Tucker. Tucker was shot and killed at Brownstone Social Lounge in 2022. Jordan Tate, 25, is accused in the case.
Thursday, Tate took the stand to tell his side of the story. He's charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the death of Krystal Tucker, who was working the door at Brownstone on Feb. 10, 2022. Tate is also charged with two counts of first-degree reckless injury.
Prosecutors say during an altercation with security guards inside the lounge, Tate pulled out his firearm and fired several shots, hitting three people. Surveillance video shows Tate firing the shots from outside the bar before walking away. He then went on the run for nearly nine months before an anonymous tip led U.S. Marshalls to his location.
Tate was arrested in Oct. 2022. The trial began this week and Tate is pleading not guilty, claiming self-defense. During his testimony Thursday, Tate says he feared for his life and believed one of the security guards was reaching for a gun during their altercation.
When asked why he didn't just leave, Tate said he was afraid he'd be shot in the back. "I had to act in that moment while in fear of my life," he said.
During his testimony, Tate said he regrets firing his gun, not turning himself in, and disposing of the gun, which police still have not recovered.
During cross examination, prosecutors questioned Tate's self-defense claim, grilling him on why he believed the security guard had a gun. Tate was also questioned about why he disposed of the gun and went on the run for eight months if the shooting was in self-defense.
Closing arguments wrapped up early Thursday evening and the jury will now decide Tate's fate.
Tate's arrest was made following an anonymous tip to Milwaukee Crime Stoppers. There was an $11,000 reward in the case.
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