Murder trial begins in SFC for Heth man

Pulliam’s attorneys claim self-defense in 2018 death over property dispute

An attorney representing a man on trial for murder told the jury during opening statements this morning that their client acted in self-defense, saying the case is “not real simple, but it ain’t that complicated.”

Prosecutors painted a different picture, saying the case is about “power and control.”

The 12-member jury, which is made up of seven black females, three white females and two black males, was seated Monday to hear the first-degree murder trial of Travis Pulliam, 48, of Heth.

First Judicial District Deputy Prosecutor Austin Easley opened the state’s case against Pulliam, who is accused of killing Donald Dishon, 42, on Sept. 2, 2018, during a dispute over a mobile home.

Dishon was shot several times during a gunfight with Pulliam, with the last two shots being fired into his head and jaw once he fell to the ground after being shot in the back.

Easley said testimony would be presented that would reveal the wound to Dishon’s back paralyzed him, and when Pulliam approached the victim lying on the ground, he put his hands up before Pulliam shot him in the head.

“You will learn there is a lot of back story to this case as to what caused the rift,” said Easley. “This case centers around two .40 caliber bullets that struck Donald Dishon in the face.”

Easley cautioned the jury to be careful when hearing the term “self-defense.”

“You will hear that selfdefense is not as simple as he shot at me so I can kill him,” said Easley. “There is a very specific legal definition of self-defense and very specific facts that must be satisfied.

“The nature of the disagreement between Mr. Pulliam and Mr. Dishon was not clear cut,” Easley continued.

“What is clear is that Travis Pulliam and Donald Dishon were angry with one another. Mr. Dishon had testified in court in a civil case and it was not very flattering to Mr. Pulliam.”

Easley told the jury Dishon had received a lump sum of money from a settlement related to an injury on a job and that Pulliam was aware of the settlement. He said Dishon paid Pulliam $25,000 for a 1999 Chevrolet pickup, a mobile home and a small lot of land for the trailer. “Nevertheless, there was a dispute about the trailer where this event ultimately occurred,” he said.

Pulliam had hired three men to clean the trailer out on Sept. 2, 2018, and when Dishon found out they were there, he went to the property, threatening them, which led them to notify Pulliam. When Pulliam arrived, the men exchanged gunfire.

“As he was running away, Mr. Pulliam continued firing, striking Mr. Dishon in the back. That shot is not the shot that killed him. That shot broke his back and likely paralyzed him, but it did not cause his death,” said Easley. “If nothing else would have happened, it’s the state’s position that it’s altogether likely we would not be here.”

Defense attorney Bill James stressed to the jury that Pulliam and Dishon were childhood friends who had their differences over the years, but that Dishon worked for Pulliam as a farmhand on and off.

“They were basically friends and had been friends a long time,” said James.

“Dolby was a decent worker, and like a lot of guys who work on a farm, it’s hit and miss as to whether they want to work or not, depending on whether or not they have money in their pockets,” said James. “Travis is a hardworking farmer and he’s been a farmer since he graduated high school. He’s not got rich with it, but he’s done his

(Continued from Page 1) best and had a lot of people work for him.”

James told the jury that Pulliam called the St. Francis County Sheriff’s Department on his way to the trailer that day and remained on the phone with the office until he arrived there, but did not call the agency back after the gunfight. However, when deputies arrived, they found Pulliam sitting in his truck where he had retreated after the shooting to reload his gun.

“He cooperated with police and answered their questions. He may not have answered them the way they liked. He gave them his gun, his phone and the code to get into his phone because he cooperated with them,” said James.

“What they (prosecutors) want you to know is someone is dead and they don’t like the way it happened,” James continued. “Self defense is not pretty. Listen to the facts in this case and look at the law. Although tragic, you will find self-defense is appropriate and warranted.

“The real victim in this case is sitting right here,” said James pointing toward Pulliam.

The prosecution called its first witnesses this morning, with police officer Preston Gracey taking the witness stand first.