INDIANAPOLIS — A trial got underway this week for three people accused in the murder of a man friends called "Mr. Indianapolis."
Chris Beaty was shot and killed outside his downtown apartment in May 2020.
On Monday, the prosecution said the three people on trial committed about six armed robberies in less than a half-hour around 11 p.m. May 30, 2020. It was a day of protests and civil unrest in downtown Indianapolis.
The three people charged are Marcus Anderson, Alijah Jones and Nakeyah Shields.
The courtroom was packed again Tuesday with family and friends representing the defendants and the victim, including Chris Beaty's mother.
"I hope for justice," said Debra Cooper. "I've been praying for justice because he deserves it. And so many people are in an uproar over Chris. I didn't believe that so many people would love him so much, but I'm not surprised."
The doctor who performed the autopsy testified Tuesday that Beaty was shot four times, at least three times from behind, including a shot in the back of the neck.
Four people testified that they were also victims of robberies in a short period of time that night in the area where Beaty was shot and killed.
One woman said she was beaten by a group of people. Her phone and backpack were stolen.
Another woman and man said they were robbed right outside Beaty's apartment building by a group of men armed with two guns.
Another man said he just gotten in his car at Vermont and Talbott streets when two men tried to rob him at gunpoint. His car was shot at as he took off in reverse and escaped.
Police believe Beaty came out of his apartment to get something from his car and may have tried to help someone else being robbed when he was shot and killed.
Beaty was an entrepreneur who graduated from Cathedral High School and played football at Indiana University. He was 38 years old.
The trial is expected to last four days with jury deliberations by the end of the day Thursday.