STREAMING LIVE: State calls witnesses in Smithville double murder trial

LEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — Note: WALB will livestream opening statements, testimony, and closing statements in this story. We will also stream a recap of the day’s events at 7 p.m. each evening as the trial progresses. The state called its first set of witnesses in the trial of a man accused of shooting and killing a mother and daughter in 2024. The defendant, Marcus Butts, is representing himself and cross-examined the state’s witnesses.Butts faces an 18-count indictment that includes several counts of malice and felony murder, aggravated assault, theft by taking, and other charges.State describes how victims were foundThe state is presenting how Jessica Thompson and her daughter, Julianna, were found shot to death inside their Smithville apartment.In his opening statement, Lee County District Attorney Lewis Lamb described the murders as a “truly horrific scene.”Boyfriend testifiesJessica Thompson’s boyfriend, Vance Turner, testified he had not heard from her in a few days. He said he c