Self-defense claimed in murder trial

FAYETTEVILLE — A Sherwood man is claiming self-defense in a murder trial that began Monday in Washington County Circuit Court.

Christopher Rankin, 25, is charged with shooting Trenton Coney to death in the early hours of New Year’s Day 2018 in a parking lot off West Avenue.

Coney, 22, of Springdale, was shot once in the chest and pronounced dead at a hospital, according to police.

“This is not a whodunit,” John Snyder, deputy prosecuting attorney, told jurors. “There’s not a question as to who, how, when, where, only why? The defendant shot and killed Trenton Coney, we know that. Why did it happen?”

Several witnesses told police Rankin was talking with Lillian Gracie Williams in the parking lot when Coney walked up to check on her. Coney and Williams were friends, according to a police report. Witnesses said Rankin got upset, pulled a gun from his jacket pocket and pointed it at Coney, according to a news release at the time of the incident.

The men exchanged words and Rankin put the gun back in his pocket before a physical altercation broke out, witnesses told police. They said Coney tripped and fell to the ground and Rankin stood over him, pulled the gun from his pocket and fired one shot striking Coney in his chest, according to the release.

Rankin fled before officers arrived, but police soon found and arrested him.

Police later found Rankin’s jacket, shirt and the gun a short distance from the parking lot.

Rankin