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Wednesday Sunrise Weather 5/22/13
Hill Convicted of Murder, Gets 60-Years 2/14/13
Editor’s Note: The following is a press release from the Midland District Attorney’s Office.
The 142nd Judicial District Court Judge George “Jody” Gilles sentenced Christopher Marchel Hill, 27, to 60 years confinement in prison for first-degree murder.
Hill’s trial began January 28, 2013 and continued thru February 4, 2013 with the Midland County jury returning a guilty verdict after approximately two hours of deliberation.
The Court assessed punishment on February 14, 2013 after hearing evidence regarding Hill’s criminal history and membership in a criminal street gang.
The victim’s mother was allowed to testify as to how the passing of her son had affected her and the family. Hill was convicted for the September 18, 2011 shooting death of Jeremy Johnson, 28, of Midland. Hill was captured in Seminole County, Florida approximately two weeks after the shooting.
A firearm was discovered on the side of the road of Highway 385 north of Odessa by Midland police detectives. The firearm was analyzed by a Texas Department of Public Safety Forensic Scientist and was matched as the firearm that fired the 9-millimeter shell casings left at the scene.
Hill claimed ownership of the firearm that was found, but claimed he killed in self-defense. Eight eyewitnesses to the shooting testified at trial that the victim was unarmed and sitting down on a foot stool when Hill entered the home unannounced and began firing at the victim before he fled to Florida.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Tommy Hull and Andrew van der Hoeven. Hill was represented by defense attorney Tom Morgan.