PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Jurors heard more testimony and saw additional evidence in the case of the Commonwealth v. Raymond Gore in Portsmouth on Thursday.
Gore is one of two men accused of killing four people at a Maple Avenue home in June 2022.
The victims were Georgio Lee, Ashley Merricks, Oleisha Mears, and Samuel Jones.
DAY 1 OF TRIAL | Trial begins for suspect in deadly quadruple shooting in Portsmouth
DAY 2 OF TRIAL | Jury hears from prosecutors' star witness during trial for quadruple murder suspect in Portsmouth
A portion of the third day of the trial focused on the prosecution’s top witness, who was seen using his phone while on the stand a day prior.
On Wednesday, the judge asked Michael Canty whether he was texting with anyone about the case. Under oath, he said "no."
But on Thursday, he admitted to lying to the judge. Texts to his sister included comments about the prosecution messing up, but using an expletive.
In an unsent message, he wrote “They went through with this. I’m still on the stand. I’m trying to save me.”
Prosecutors granted Canty immunity from perjury when discussing the texts during cross-examination.
In front of the jury, the defense honed in on Canty’s criminal history and his lying to the judge about the nature of the texts.
Prosecutors argued the “trying to save me” comment is something Canty has alluded to and acknowledged in the past. They had Canty recall his testimony in which he said he was working with authorities to help himself and one of the victims, Ashley Merricks.
A day prior, Canty had testified he saw Gore knock on the door from a block away, Merricks answer, and Gore shoot her.
In court on Thursday, the judge expressed she was weighing the credibility of Canty as an eyewitness. The judge is expected to give a ruling on Friday, which will determine the direction of the trial moving forward.
Furthermore, on Thursday, the prosecution and defense sparred on whether to include statements Gore made to police about a black SUV. Prosecutors wanted the statements included because Canty’s testimony mentioned a black SUV parked near the Maple Avenue home on the morning of the shooting.
Defense attorneys wanted the statements excluded because Canty initially told detectives during August 2022 interviews that he spotted a black or blue pickup truck.
It wasn't until a detective brought up the possibility of an SUV near the scene during an interview that Canty agreed it could've been an SUV, the defense argued.
Defense attorneys disclosed in front of the jury on Thursday that prosecutors are giving Canty consideration when it comes to his outstanding probation violation in exchange for testifying.
After lunch, the lead detective on the quadruple murder case took the stand again.
He testified Gore initially said he had nothing to do with the car. The prosecutor then asked the detective if Gore changed stories during questioning.
The detective said "yes," citing times Gore said he cleaned the SUV and drove it once to get its brakes fixed.
Prosecutors had the lead detective testify about paperwork found in the SUV belonging to Antwann Gore, who is Raymond's nephew. He is also facing grand jury indictments in connection to the quadruple murder.
A forensics technician also testified about items found in the black SUV, including a beanie and ski mask.