Defendant calm following shooting death, witness claims
By BRAD KELLAR
Herald-Banner Staff
GREENVILLE — Cory Locke’s former girlfriend said that after shooting Michael Patrick Bates, Locke became “very calm and nonchalant”.
Dena Waldon, who also is charged with murder in connection with Bates’ death, testified Locke was “very upset and aggressive” prior to the shooting, but changed moods shortly afterward.
“At the time, he did not appear to be remorseful,” Waldon said, as she testified against Locke Wednesday during Locke’s trial in the 354th District Court.
Locke is charged with one count of murder in connection with Bates’ death and also is on trial for one count each of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery, involving incidents which authorities claim occurred the same day as the murder.
The alleged victim of the kidnapping and robbery also testified against Locke Wednesday.
Locke has also been indicted in connection with the alleged burglary of Bates’ residence. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Bates, 43, died as the result of a shotgun wound to the chest. His body was found early on the morning of June 2, 2005 in a residence at 1959 Apache Road near Quinlan.
Waldon and James Paul Russell Jr. have also been indicted on charges of murder, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery, all of which carry a maximum sentence of life in prison upon conviction.
Russell has a trial pending, while Waldon said Wednesday she had agreed to testify against Locke and Russell in exchange for being allowed to plead guilty only to the aggravated robbery charge and receiving a probated sentence.
Waldon was dating Locke at the time of the murder. Waldon testified Wednesday she had taken Locke to Bates’ residence and another home in the area earlier in the evening, because Locke was upset with two Hispanic individuals and was searching for them.
She said Locke helped steal a pool table and other items from the home and then they returned to Waldon’s residence. Later, Locke insisted that she drive he and Russell, who went by the name Beau, to the same locations again.
At the first home, Locke and Russell were said to have taken one of the people inside and held him at the tip of a shotgun while asking the person where were the two individuals Locke was seeking.
After the person was unable to tell them, Waldon testified, Locke and Russell discussed whether to kill the person before letting him go.
The alleged victim had testified earlier Wednesday that Locke and Russell had beat him repeatedly, threatened to kill him and stole his wallet before allowing him to leave, firing a round from the shotgun as a warning.
Waldon said she later drove them back to Bates’ house. While she stayed in the sport utility vehicle, Waldon said Russell held Bates at the end of the shotgun at the front door, as Locke went through the residence again.
Locke returned to the doorway and Waldon said he and Russell talked about killing Bates.
“He told Beau, ’Just do it man, just do it’,” Waldon testified, adding how at that point, Locke grabbed the shotgun and the weapon fired, hitting Bates in the chest.
“It appeared Mr. Russell was still touching it (the shotgun) at the same time,” Waldon said.
The pair told Waldon to drive away from the scene and she said she recalled asking Locke later whether Bates had been killed.
“His exact words were, ‘Yeah, that was f....d up’,” Waldon said.
Defense attorney Royal Mullins chose not to cross examine either Waldon or the alleged victim of the kidnapping and robbery Wednesday.
