A witness for the state in the first-degree murder trial of Bryan Lamar Lee said he had lied repeatedly to police and Pima County Attorney’s Office investigators.
Tyler Brown testified on Tuesday and Wednesday in Pima County Superior Court about how he helped Lee and Reed Marrone dispose of Jordan Peterson’s body in a desert clearing in northern Marana in 2011.
Lee, 22, is on trial for first-degree murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping. Marrone, 21, pleaded guilty to Peterson’s murder and is serving 25 years to life in prison.
The state argues Lee and Marrone killed Peterson and stole marijuana from him to avoid paying a drug debt Morrone owed him.
During cross examination, defense attorney Joel Feinman questioned Brown, 20, about the numerous lies he told police and investigators in the years and months prior to the trial.
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Feinman argued the state had relied on the statements of an admitted liar to implicate Lee in the murder.Â
He showed at least 20 lies and misstatements Brown has since admitted to making, some of which appeared aimed to mitigate Brown's involvement others suggesting he had no knowledge of Peterson's disappearance and murder.
The defense said Lee only helped get rid of Peterson's body but did not kill him.
Brown testified that he helped Lee and Marrone drive Peterson's body to Marana and bury his corpse in a shallow grave.
Deputy Pima County Attorney Victoria Otto told jurors in closing arguments that Brown had changed his lifestyle in the years since Peterson's death, leaving the world of crime and drug abuse behind.
Brown also said a baby he and his girlfriend are expecting has helped to change his perspective.
The case now rests with jury.
