Wednesday 5 December 2007The details of a Cannon County man’s alleged attempt to murder two sheriff’s department deputies were revealed to General Sessions Judge Susan Melton on Tuesday. Wesley Barrett was arrested by the Cannon County Sheriff’s Department and charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder and reckless endangerment after a shoot-out with deputies at his home on Hills Creek Road in the Eastside community. Barrett appeared with his attorney Frank Buck for a preliminary hearing to determine if the case should be bound over to the grand jury. Assistant District Attorney General David Puckett first called Cannon County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Hillis to the stand. Hillis told the court that he received a call to Hills Creek Road because a man was firing a weapon at his neighbors. After arriving at the scene Hillis said that he met with Barrett’s neighbors who told him Barrett was shooting in their direction. Hillis walked across the yard and onto the property of Barrett. He reported that Barrett came out of the house with a long gun. Hillis told Barrett to put the gun down and identified himself as a sheriff’s deputy. Hillis then told the court Barrett shouted expletives at him and then said he was going to “pump his guts full of lead.” Hillis said Barrett began firing at him and Hillis took cover behind a large piece of machinery in his yard. Hillis said that he warned Barrett two more times to stop firing and to put the weapon down but Barrett refused. At that point Hillis began firing his service weapon but did not hit him. Hillis said when other deputies arrived Barrett retreated behind a bush and ducked. Puckett then called Deputy Charlie Wilder to testify. Wilder said he arrived at the scene after Hillis called for backup. After exiting his vehicle Wilder dropped his cell phone and bent down to pick it up. As he was coming he heard a gun shot and pellets then peppered his patrol car and hit his body. Wilder advised Barrett to put the gun down but Barrett started shouting expletives again and continued shooting. After more rounds were exchanged Barrett finally put his gun down and surrendered. On cross-examination Buck repeatedly questioned officers about how well Barrett could see their vehicles and their uniforms but both officers said they were clearly visible and identified themselves several times. Buck also questioned them about the fact that they entered Barrett’s home after they had arrested him without a search warrant. The officer’s response indicated that the structure needed to be checked for their safety and the safety of the neighbors who placed the call. The action was to make sure no other person(s) with weapons were on the property. Officer’s later obtained a search warrant and returned to the property but not until after they had initially reviewed the area. Judge Melton found probable cause to bind the case over to the Grand Jury. His case will be presented to the January 2008 term which will take place on January 24th. Barrett is currently being held on $550 000.00 bond. Barrett was charged with reckless endangerment in the incident because his 5-year old daughter was inside his home during the gunfight.
