Trial in Deep Creek mechanic's death heads to jury

CHESAPEAKE

Testimony concluded Friday in the weeklong murder, robbery and check-forging trial of a Western Branch landscaper accused of killing a hunting buddy who shared holidays with his family.

A Circuit Court jury will get the case after closing arguments from both sides Monday morning.

Keith Alan Bradshaw, 39, was indicted last February. Someone shot dead Olive Bruce "BJ" Jones Jr., 57, in the Deep Creek garage Jones named after his girlfriend, Gaynelle's Auto Repair. Friends found his body several days afterward on Dec. 18, 2008.

Prosecutors have used bank videos and cell-phone records to place Bradshaw's truck and phone near where several of Jones' forged checks were cashed in the days after the auto mechanic is believed to have died.

A co-defendant and a jail block-mate have directly implicated Bradshaw.

Defense witnesses said Bradshaw wasn't a violent man and others could have had access to his vehicles and to company cell phones.