BEDFORD – A Lawrence County Superior Court II jury listened to emotional testimony Wednesday in the case of Timothy Brian Helton, who is accused of opening fire into a garage on Saturday, May 18, 2024, injuring Jeffery Crane and killing Johnnie Grubb IV.
Helton, who faces charges of murder and attempted murder, was present in the courtroom for the proceedings, which Lawrence County Prosecutor Sam Arp and Deputy Prosecutor Joshua Scherschel led. Helton’s defense team, headed by Chief Public Defender Tim Sledd and D. Michael Allen, has argued that the shooting was an act of self-defense.
The tragic incident occurred at Grubb’s residence in the 500 block of Sunny Acres Lane, where both Grubb and Crane were working in the garage. Crane, who was shot in the stomach and leg, testified that the shooting occurred after an earlier confrontation between him and Helton two weeks prior, when Crane allegedly caught Helton attempting to steal a 4-wheeler from the property.
“I told him (Helton) to stop, and he pulled a gun on me,” Crane told the jury. “He said, ‘Stop right there, or I will drop you where you stand.’ He also said he would come back and kill everyone in the house.” Crane explained that the men were in the garage after this confrontation when Helton and Christopher Cecil approached. Crane recognized Helton and alerted Grubb, saying, “That’s the guy who pulled a (explicit) gun on me.”
Crane described what followed: “Helton said he was just here to talk. I told him that was up to John (Grubb), and I walked away. Then, the next thing I heard was gunshots. It’s all hard for me to recall… I had been shot, too.”
Grubb, who had just been released from prison after serving time for possession of methamphetamine, was found inside the house after the shooting. He was pronounced dead at IU Health Hospital, unable to be revived after losing over two quarts of blood. Forensic Pathologist Dr. James Jacobi testified Grubb died from blood loss due to multiple gunshot wounds, including one that went through his chest, breaking his eighth rib, entered his liver and stomach, and lacerated his liver. Another bullet struck his shoulder and exited his chest, shattering his sternum or breastbone.
Both Grubb and Crane tested positive for methamphetamine in their toxicology reports, though Dr. Jacobi confirmed that meth did not contribute to Grubb’s death.
Jim Allgood, another witness present in the garage during the shooting, testified that Helton and Cecil approached the garage, calling out “hello” before entering. Allgood recalled hearing Crane warn Grubb, saying, “Hey John, that’s the mother f***** that pulled a gun on me.” Allgood testified that Helton claimed he was there to talk and had no intention of causing harm.
“I didn’t think there was going to be a shooting,” Allgood said. “I thought Helton was there to make amends. But then, I heard the gunshots.” Allgood recounted that he quickly hit the ground. After the shots were fired, he saw Grubb get up and head toward the house while Crane remained on the ground, holding his stomach.
Following the shooting, Helton and Cecil fled the scene. Police later discovered a Ruger P95 9mm handgun at the time of Helton’s arrest, which Indiana State Police Forensic Firearms Expert Angela Kilmon identified as the weapon used to kill Grubb.
Helton, however, claims he fired the gun in self-defense. He told police that Grubb had asked if he was carrying a weapon and then made a sudden movement, causing him to “freak out” and shoot. Helton admitted to being high on meth at the time of the shooting.
Additionally, police found a meth pipe in Allgood’s pocket during their investigation, along with an AR-15 style airsoft gun on a shelf in the garage.
The prosecution continues to present its case, with Detective Andrea Barnett Tedrow scheduled to testify when proceedings resume Thursday morning. The trial is ongoing, and Helton is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. The jury will ultimately evaluate the evidence and render a verdict.
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