The second and final day of testimony in the murder trial of 22-year-old Justin Bullard of Iuka included the playing of Snap Chat videos showing Bullard standing on the roof of the Crossroads Tavern in Sandoval admitting he was drunk and clips from earlier in the day when he appeared to be drinking, driving recklessly, and traveling at speeds up to 100 miles per hour in his pickup truck.
The video clips obtained in a search warrant on passenger Austin Back’s phone and Snap Chat itself were used to set the scene for what Bullard was doing before the fatal crash with a car driven by Nita Mobley at the West Main and Hotze Road intersection in Salem on May fourth.
Illinois Special Agent Christian Kohnen then played a video recording of his interview with Bullard while he was recovering from his injuries a week after the crash. Bullard claimed to have just had one Twisted Tea in a trip earlier in the day to Murphysboro to buy a four wheeler and four to five ‘Crown Apples’ and a shot while later at Crossroads. He did admit racing another car back to Salem, but claimed to have slowed down to 50 miles per hour by Arby’s because they were coming into town. As far as the crash, Bullard said in his head the light was green or yellow. He said he wasn’t sure who was at fault. Bullard admitted having fun that day and racing a vehicle driven by Derrik Coomer back to Salem but did not feel intoxicated. He added he knew his limits and was capable of getting home.
In cross-examination, Kohnen said there was no evidence that Bullard struck the Mobley vehicle on purpose.
Illinois State Police accident reconstructionist Ryne Briesacher later testified that the airbag deployment system indicated Bullard was traveling at 96 miles per hour at the time of the crash and didn’t brake until one second of impact. Briesacher said the eastbound traffic light for Bullard had turned red 35 seconds earlier while he was near the Selmaville Road intersection.
Forensic Toxicologist Dr. Sarah Riley of St. Louis University Hospital said a urine test for drugs and alcohol about two hours after the wreck showed a blood alcohol level of .196, more than twice the legal limit of .08. Riley estimated his blood alcohol level was likely .216 to .243 at the time of the crash. Mobley had no alcohol or illegal substances in her body.
United Medical Response Paramedic Carson Hulsey testified to smelling alcohol on Bullard’s breath when treating him in the ambulance for his injuries following the crash.
Pathologist Dr. Bao who performed the autopsy and Marion County Coroner Troy Cannon began the day by testifying Mobley died of internal burn injuries as a result of a motor vehicle accident. Bao said Mobley had only one other internal injury that would not have caused her death.
After closing statements, Judge Mark Stedelin found Bullard guilty of murder, aggravated DUI with death, and aggravated street racing.
