The preliminary hearing for a Hutchinson man accused of first degree murder is underway in District Court .
Michael Brisco is charged with two alternate counts of murder for the shooting of an Illinois man back on September 9, 2013. One being first degree premeditated murder and the other a charge of second degree murder. Other charges include criminal possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine and aggravated intimidation of a witness.
Brisco is charged for the killing of 26-year-old Sem Adrien. He was found suffering a gunshot wound in a small parking lot at 8th & Plum. He was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center where he was then pronounced dead.
The most compelling evidence came Wednesday afternoon from a man who was present when it all began inside the home of the defendant. Brandon Zeh testified that he had come to the Brisco’s home and that victim was also there. He says the victim came into the home and then went into the bathroom where he stayed for some time, which he says irritated Brisco. Once the victim came out, he says Adrien allegedly became mouthy to the defendant and his girlfriend. That started an argument which ended up with a physical confrontation with the victim running outside. Zeh says he never heard a gunshot because he stayed in the home and says there was a lot of noise inside. He also stated that he never saw a gun or the defendant with a gun.
He says that Brisco and his girlfriend came back inside and the state asked him about certain statements he heard the two say such as “we got him” and others we won’t mention because of the language involved. Some of the statements the state alleges he told police he heard, he denied telling police those things while on the stand. He did mention seeing Brisco and his girlfriend giving each other “high fives.”
Earlier in the day the state presented testimony from those who found the body of the victim laying in the driveway of an insurance company at 8th & Plum. Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton also brought two witnesses to the stand who lived down the street from where the shooting occurred and both said they heard arguing and then a gunshot. One stated she heard someone say, “stop, don’t.” and then a gunshot.
Also on the stand were the responding officers who were told of a possible shooting of stabbing when they were dispatched to the area. They say they found a trail of blood that appeared to end where the body was found, but then led northwest toward a home west of the insurance company that they would later learn was the home of the defendant.
The victim had a gunshot wound to his left side according to testimony and was found lying face down. Some of those who tried to help said he had a slight pulse, but was not conscious when they tried to help him.
The hearing continues Wednesday morning in front of Judge Joe McCarville.