Key Witness In Murder Trial Disappears

INDIANAPOLIS -- A Marion County murder trial may be in jeopardy now that a key witness has gone missing, prosecutors said.

Ocie Brasher, 31, was supposed to testify Tuesday morning. Prosecutors said he was waiting in a witness room when he went outside to smoke a cigarette and never returned, 6News' Rick Hightower reported.

Brasher was set to testify for the prosecution in the trial of Shannon Morgan, accused of shooting and killing Richard Hager, 68, in his south-side home last year.

Shortly after Brasher disappeared, his mother received several threatening phone calls from someone who said they had her son and that she should, "get her black dress ready," said IMPD Homicide Detective Marcus Kennedy.

"[Brasher] had some concerns for his safety, of course, and I'm not sure about the direct threats, but I was aware that he was very scared of testifying," Kennedy said.

The court does have Brasher's written statement, which prosecutors said would likely be used in his absence. But Morgan's attorney said she's worried that could hurt their defense.

"One of the fundamental rights of someone accused of a crime is to be able to confront and cross examine any witness who intends to testify against him," said Diane Abel, the public defender assigned to Morgan's case. "Not being able to cross examine Ocie Brasher in front of the jury where they can see demeanor … I think it's definitely detrimental to my client."

The trial, which started Monday, is expected to go to the jury sometime Wednesday.