Testimony Underway In Castle West Murder Trial

COLORADO SPRINGS – The emergency response to the Castle West apartment fire took center stage during day one of testimony in the Derrick Johnson first degree murder trial. Johnson is accused of using gasoline to start the fire that killed two men on the morning of January 16th, 2007.

Prosecutors say Johnson was angry at an ex-girlfriend for leaving him. Najua Bell-Jackson is also the mother of Johnson’s child, Mia. Bell-Jackson’s voice could be heard on 9-1-1 calls played for the jury Thursday, at one point telling the call taker “somebody set a fire.” Johnson lowered his eyes but showed no emotion at hearing Bell-Jackson’s voice on the recording.

Newly sworn-in Colorado Springs Fire Chief Steve Cox was in the audience as Deputy Chief Rich Brown next took the stand. Brown was a battalion chief at StationSevenjust two blocks north of the Castle West apartment building on the night of the fire. He told the jury he arrived at the scene less than a minute after the first alarm and immediately called for more resources. He also ordered his crews into an “all hands” rescue mode, meaning get everyone out of the building first then worry about fighting the fire. Firefighters plucked 85 people from windows and balconies that night and all but two got out alive. In all, 22 fire engines and ladder trucks and 110 firefighters fought the seven-alarm blaze.

Derrick Johnson is pleading not guilty to setting the fire. His trial could last up to three months.