NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The trial for two men accused in the murder of a Nashville nurse continued into its sixth day on Saturday with the defense calling two witnesses before resting its case.
Caitlyn Kaufman was shot and killed in December 2020 while she was driving to work on Interstate 440. Devaunte Hill and James Cowan have been charged with first-degree murder in her death and are facing life in prison without parole if they are found guilty.
On Friday, the state rested its case in this trial. The defense asked the judge for acquittal, but the motions were denied.
Back in court this morning. It’s the 6th day of Kaufman murder trial. Devaunte Hill & James Cowan are charged with the murder of Nashville nurse Caitlyn Kaufman. Today, the defense is expected to call at least a couple of witnesses. The prosecution rested on Friday. @NC5 pic.twitter.com/UlLqrMT3dt
— Aaron Cantrell (@AaronTheNewsGuy) January 28, 2023
On Saturday, Cowan waived his rights to testify in this trial. Hill chose to take the stand and was questioned at length about the night of the shooting, the days leading up to his arrest, and his initial conversation with detectives.
Next, Dr. Eric Warren was called to the stand. Warren, who was previously employed at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, owns his own forensic science firm. He testified that his task was to focus on bullet defects.
After both sides questioned the witness, the defense stated it did not have any other evidence to present to the court.
The trial will resume on Monday at 9 a.m.
Timeline of events
On the evening of December 3, 2020, Caitlyn Kaufman was driving along Interstate 440 on her way to work at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital when she was shot and killed.
According to Metro Police, a Metro Parks officer had seen a Mazda SUV on the right shoulder against the guard rail and assuming the driver had crashed, he approached to help. Inside they found Kaufman, who had died from a gunshot wound.
Investigators said there were bullet holes in the window of the car. They believe the bullets were fired into the SUV.
Detectives said six rounds were fired into the vehicle.
A week later, on December 11, then 21-year-old Devaunte L. Hill was taken into custody and charged with criminal homicide.
READ: Suspect arrested in Nashville nurse's murder had violent history
A day later, a second suspect, James Edward Cowan, also known as James Lillard was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
In January 2021, a witness testified that he heard one of the suspects confess to killing Kaufman and said the suspect claimed they shot the nurse because she may have cut them off on I-440.
