LONGVIEW, Texas — Sentencing continued Wednesday for the Louisiana man convicted of killing an East Texas deputy during a 2019 traffic stop.
Gregory Newson, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was convicted of capital murder for killing Panola County Deputy Chris Dickerson as he made a routine patrol in the small community of Gary in Panola County around 2 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2019.
The state is seeking the death penalty.
LIVE UPDATES:
The defense called a census expert to the stand about data showing where Newson lived in the Greater Shreveport-Bossier Parish area in Louisiana, showing that education levels were low and both poverty and unemployment were high.
The expert said the census data she gathered is not specific to Newson, but it gives insight and information about the community he lived in.
Kenneth Ray Smith, Newson's former brother-in-law, testified that he met Newson when he started dating Newson's sister when Newson was 12 or 13 years old. Smith testified that Newson grew up with a mother and father who were good parents to him.
Smith recalled having both good and bad interactions with police in Shreveport, and he witnessed police brutality growing up there. Smith said witnessing police brutality has impacted how he interacts with police, saying he doesn't like dealing with them.
Smith testified that he would describe Newson as more of a follower, not a leader. Smith also said that Newson grew up having a stutter. He added that Newson was always willing to help, he trusts Newson and has no worries about Newson's character.
Smith said he was mad after learning what he really happened in the video of the Dec. 31, 2019 traffic stop. Smith testified it's as if he lost a family member following the shooting and Newson's arrest.
The defense made a motion for a mistrial claiming that the state has mischaracterized evidence, but the judge denied the motion and asked both sides to not have spats in front of the jury.
Smith testified that he was not aware that Newson was previously convicted for possession of cocaine with the intent to deliver.
Smith told the state that what Newson told him happened in the traffic stop that ended with Dickerson's death was "different" than what dash cam video showed. When he learned what happened, Smith said that he was angry with Newson for lying to him about the shooting. Smith testified he did not feel manipulated.
Smith described the neighborhood that he and Newson grew up on as poor but the families there helped each other out. The neighborhood was consistently declining and people were living the area.
Smith testified that he has never gotten out of his car with an AR-15 and started shooting at an officer when he was pulled over by police. The state pointed that is what Newson did to Dickerson.
Lawanda Thomas, the mother of Newson's son, testified she met Newson while they were going to a night school where people earned their diploma. She described him as funny and kind at the time. They lost touch with each other, and they reconnected years later.
Thomas said Newson treated her son as if he was Newson's son. She said that she and Newson were just friends, but they also later had a son together. Thomas said Newson always took care of his son and has been in his life even though he was in a relationship with another woman.
Thomas described Newson's relationship with his son as the perfect father-son relationship. She said she chose not to see the video showing Newson shooting Dickerson because she doesn't want to see someone get killed, but she's aware of how serious the situation is.
She told the state Newson would see his son two or three times a week except when he's out of town.
Thomas testified she and Newson only talk about their son, not the case. If she learned that Newson shot and killed a police officer, Thomas said it would not change how she feels about Newson.
Dr. Erik Nielson, a professor of liberal arts at the University of Richmond, took the stand to testify about rap music being used as evidence. He has written books about the topic, including "Rap on Trial." He testified rap music is intended to be received as fiction.
Nielson testified that rap lyrics that Newson wrote and were shown to the jury were consistent with gangster rap. He testified it's dangerous to assume that rap lyrics are autobiographical.
Lyrics that Newson performed show that Newson at least could've made up a fictitious scenario of killing a police officer around 2 a.m., Nielson said.
Due to witness scheduling issues and hearings needed outside of jurors' presence, the jury was asked to come back at 1 p.m. Thursday. The judge noted if there's a need to delay until 8:30 a.m. Friday, the jurors will receive an email.
CBS19 is available live and on-demand on your favorite TV streaming device, anytime from anywhere in the U.S.
The free CBS19+ app for Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and smart TV devices features a 24/7 stream with the latest from CBS19.
In addition to the live stream, watch the latest from CBS19 on-demand, along with additional programming from our partners at TEGNA (like Verify, "Murder at My Door" and "In the News") and Locked On Sports, plus special collections from CBS19 like Under the Lights, Hooked on East Texas and CBS19 Originals.
DOWNLOAD ON ROKU
Add the free CBS19 channel by searching for CBS19 East Texas News in the Roku Channel Store on your device, or add the CBS19+ Roku channel using this link.
DOWNLOAD ON FIRE TV
Search for the free CBS19+ app in the Amazon App Store directly on your Fire TV or Fire TV Stick, or add the CBS19+ Fire TV app using this link.
DOWNLOAD ON APPLE TV
Learn more about the free CBS19+ app in the Apple TV App Store and download directly from your Apple TV device.
DOWNLOAD ON YOUR SMART TV
The CBS19+ app is also now available directly on "smart" or "connected" televisions made by Samsung, LG and Philips, as well as televisions with Android TV. Search for CBS19 East Texas News in your television's app store to add CBS19+.
OTHER FREE WAYS TO WATCH
The CBS19+ 24/7 stream can be viewed on any desktop or mobile web browser anytime on the Watch page here on cbs19.tv.