First-degree murder trial in 2011 shooting to begin Monday

The man police and prosecutors believe was the ringleader in a 2011 Johnson City murder is set to go on trial Monday morning in Washington County Criminal Court.Justin A. “Puff” Stratton, of Johnson City, is charged with first-degree murder and especially aggravated robbery in the July 30, 2011, shooting death of Gary “Goob” Couch Jr., 25 of Reatown.Three other people are charged along with Stratton and could be witnesses during this week’s jury trial. Ginger Holtsclaw, 29, Ashley Harold, 30; and Anthony Phillips, 30, are charged with felony first-degree murder.A passing motorist discovered Couch’s body lying on Quarry Road near a train trestle the night of the alleged murder. When investigators responded, they found Couch dead from multiple gunshot wounds. They also believe he had been run over by a vehicle.As the investigation progressed, police retraced Couch’s steps from that evening and said he had been last seen at Numan’s in downtown Johnson City. Witnesses saw Couch leave the bar with two white women, later identified as Holstsclaw and Harold.The day after the murder, the women were pulled over by police and Stratton was with them.Police believe Stratton and Phillips met Holtsclaw and Harold at Numans the night of the murder and they encountered Couch there. Stratton allegedly directed the events that led to Couch’s death after the four left separately, with Couch accompanying the women to their vehicle under the pretense they were taking him home.The women, and others at the bar, had apparently seen Couch counting his money while they were at the bar and Stratton said he was going to “get his stuff.”Police believe Stratton directed the women to drive to Quarry Road and he followed. When the women stopped, the men all got out and Couch was shot, police said during the investigation.If convicted, Stratton faces life in prison. He’s also facing other unrelated charges in two other cases. Those are two counts of forgery related to stolen checks and burglary and two counts of theft over $1,000 related to stolen vehicles.Stratton is jailed on $181,000 bond.



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