Witness testimony continued for a second day Thursday in the trial of Brad Bishop, who was 15 when he was accused of killing his step-grandfather.
Bishop, now 21, is charged with malice murder for allegedly shooting Victor Perkins, 61, in the head with a shotgun Aug. 18, 2018, in their home on McNutt Road.
Bishop confessed to police shortly after the incident and had driven Perkins’ SUV from the scene with several of his guns in the back seat until the vehicle’s tires went flat.
After the prosecution rested Thursday, the jury heard damning testimony from a former friend of Perkins.
Daniel Locklear said he’d befriended Perkins because they shared an interest in guns and hunting and he felt sorry for the widower, who lost his wife in 2012 and had little money. Locklear said Perkins was fond of social media.
“He was always on Facebook,” Locklear said.
During their visits, Locklear said he preferred to sit outside because the interior of Perkins’ trailer was so unkempt and roach infested. Locklear said Perkins and Bishop were frequently together, but the older man frequently was abusive to Bishop.
“He treated him like a dog; a slave,” Locklear said.
Asked for examples, Locklear said Perkins would demand Bishop get him a beer, then slap him. He backhanded him with force. Bishop was scared “all the time” and had visible injuries “just about every time” Locklear saw him, he said.
Perkins “didn’t hold back,” Locklear said. He was “a blazing alcoholic,” he said.
In addition, Locklear said Perkins had the cell phone numbers of sheriff’s deputies, who would occasionally come by the trailer and talk to Perkins.
“Cops would be sitting in his yard for an hour,” Locklear said.
In earlier cross-examination of a police witness, defense attorney Jennifer Cross asked investigators why they did not look into abuse allegations while investigating the murder.
Testimony continues Friday in Superior Court Judge Jesse Stone’s court.
