Columbia man found guilty of murder in 2022 shooting
Nia Hinson
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia man was found guilty of murder by a jury in a 2022 shooting.
Isaac Bryant was found guilty of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Demetrius Ware.
Jurors received the case around 2:00 p.m. on Thursday. The verdict was delivered shortly after 6 p.m.
Bryant was found guilty of shooting and killing another man in a central Columbia neighborhood in May of 2022.
His sentencing is set for Oct.17 at 1:30 p.m.
Prosecutors allege Bryant killed Ware, 37, in the 800 block of Grand Avenue. Police said Bryant drove by the home and shot Ware. Ware was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Ware’s aunt, Debra Jordan, told ABC 17 News after Thursday’s verdict was reached that the day marked a win for the family, who have dealt with several murders over the years.
“I feel good about it that he got what he deserved. You’re still living, but my nephew’s gone,” Jordan said. “I prayed every night. I had a hard time for three nights, but it got done…I wish he was still here, but his spirit’s still here with me and all the things I knew about him.”
The state began by asking jurors to find Bryant guilty of both counts, claiming he shot Ware out of jealousy. The prosecution showed jurors a map of the three areas Bryant’s phone pinged off, arguing the path leads him to the home where the shooting occurred and in the blue Impala prosecutors believe he drove.
The prosecution also argued text messages shared between Quirteasha Brown-Wells, the state’s eyewitness, and Bryant show he was planning to meet up with Brown-Wells before the shooting. Prosecutors claim he shot Ware after becoming jealous that he was at home.
The defense focused heavily on the fact that Brown-Wells is not a credible source, claiming she changed her story multiple times while on the stand. The defense also argued that it was too dark in the area for Brown-Wells to have seen who was driving the blue Chevy Impala the night of the shooting and that the only thing Brown-wells would have been able to see is the taillights of the vehicle.
The defense also argued that there is no scientific evidence that proves Bryant pulled the trigger, and no evidence that points to jealousy in the case. The defense also said a fingerprint report showed evidence was not removed from the vehicle and that Bryant’s DNA was not found in it.
The prosecution pushed back, stating that the text messages between Brown-Wells and Bryant show that Brown-Wells was expecting Bryant to come to her home, reading text messages aloud from Bryant that said “is you ready?” and Brown-Wells replying “yes.”
The prosecution also told jurors you don’t have to see a person with a gun or phone to logically determine that they shot another person.
They argued gunshots to his head proved Bryant shot him with the intention of causing serious physical harm.
Jurors heard from several witnesses from both the prosecution and defense before closing arguments.
The prosecution kicked things off on the fourth day of trial by calling Dalton Prather, a man who was found in possession of the gun used in the deadly shooting. Prather took the stand and said he bought the gun from a man named Ricky Furlong from Lee’s Tire on Business Loop 70 in Columbia.
Prather claimed he purchased the gun in late 2021 or 2022, but could not remember exactly when. Prather claimed he was having flashbacks on May 18, 2024, from Afghanistan, prompting law enforcement to be called to his home for a welfare check.
One of the responding officers to the incident was Daniel Hurt, who also took the stand on Thursday.
Hurt said he worked as the police chief for the California Police Department. He claimed he responded to Prather’s home and was told by Prather that a gun was in the bedroom of the home.
Hurt said he ran the serial number, which came back as stolen out of Columbia. Hurt said he then contacted the Columbia Police Department via phone.
The state also called Denver Lybarger, the Store Manager for Family Pawn on Business Loop 70. Lybarger provided video evidence to law enforcement of the gun used in the shooting being purchased from his store. The defense cross-examined Lybarger, emphasizing the fact that the video showed the gun being purchased by a white woman and that Lybarger did not recognize Bryant.
The state’s fourth and final witness of the day was a forensic scientist for the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He demonstrated and explained to jurors how he was able to link shell casings to the gun used in the murder.
The defense then called up its first witness of the day, Chad Reynolds. Reynolds worked as a detective for the Columbia Police Department and responded the night of the shooting.
The defense questioned Reynolds about what he encountered that night and his interaction with Brown-Wells. The defense emphasized their argument that it was dark in the area, showing pictures taken from the scene that night.
Reynolds was asked if he believed he could have identified someone driving down the street that night, to which he replied that he did not believe he could. The prosecution pushed back against the claims, stating that Reynolds was not the person who took the photos and could not verify the means by which they were taken.
The defense also questioned Ricky Furlong, a man who worked at Lee’s Tire. Furlong testified that he bought the gun from a man named Terry and sold it to Prather sometime in 2022. Furlong said he did not know the gun was listed as stolen or used in a shooting.
Terry Leekamp then took to the stand, testifying that he sold the gun to Furlong. Leekamp said he traded the gun for tires to a man he described as standing six feet tall.
He said the man he sold the gun to was not Bryant and that he had never seen Bryant before. The defense also questioned Donald Frigon via video on Thursday, a former CPD patrol officer.
Frigon testified that he took a call from Hurt in May of 2024 regarding the reported stolen gun.
Boone County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Risa Perkins said getting true justice in cases like these is never truly possible.
“Working with the families of those victims is really an honor and getting to see that tiny bit of justice and closure, it’s emotional for me in the end,” Perkins said.
Bryant’s attorney, Connie Sullivan, told ABC 17 News the verdict is disappointing, but you have to trust in the justice system.