Gang Member Convicted of Western Heights Murder

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained a conviction against a gang member who murdered a seventeen-year-old in Western Heights then wrote a song about it. Bryant Christopher Mitchell, 22, D.O.B. 8/21/97, was convicted of First Degree Murder. After the jury returned its verdict, Judge Scott Green imposed the mandatory life sentence.

In a three-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Ashley McDermott and Joe Welker explained to the jury that on November 13, 2016, Knoxville Police Department Investigator Tim Riddle responded to a shooting in Western Heights Alley A. On scene, officers discovered the victim had been shot over a dozen times in the head. The investigation revealed that Mitchell shot the victim twice, paralyzing him. Mitchell left the scene but came back, stood over the victim, and shot him fourteen more times, leaving a handgun magazine and cell phone at the crime scene. Forensic examination of the cell phone linked it to”Honcho da Bos” and”Baily Da G,” known aliases for Mitchell. Investigators also discovered gun shot residue on Mitchell’s pants. While out on bond, Mitchell released a rap album entitled”Out on Bail” where he bragged about shooting someone in the face.

“We hope that securing this conviction has given some measure of justice to the family of the seventeen-year-old who died in this senseless crime,” said DA Charme Allen.

First Degree Murder carries a life sentence meaning Mitchell must serve fifty-one years in prison before he is eligible for parole.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.