Couple across street testify in court

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A husband and wife who live directly across from where the Hamilton Avenue murders occurred three years ago recalled that horrific night on the witness stand on Thursday.

Frank and Faye Dodson remembered hearing warnings from neighborhood kids that something bad was about to happen before they started hearing gunshots from across the street.

When the shooting was over, seven people at 560 North Hamilton Avenue were dead.

Special Coverage: Desmond Turner Hamilton Avenue Murder Trial

Throughout the week, there has been testimony from teenagers about the hours leading up to the shootings on Hamilton Avenue.

Day 5 of the trial brought perspective from two adults.

Frank Dodson was the first to testify. “There were some kids who came in and said that something was going to go down and to keep the kids in the house.”

He said he later heard gunshots and grabbed his cell phone to call police.

Faye Dodson said she shooed the 15 or so kids who were in their house at the time to the back of the house, to try to keep them safe.

“I think they are incredibly credible witnesses,” said Marion County prosecutor Carl Brizzi. “They don't have any reason to fabricate any of their testimony. They've been married for 27 years, they've got 11 children and 13 or 14 grandchildren that are kind of living in the same neighborhood and I think they are genuine.”

Frank described what he saw happen to Flora Albarran, one of the victim’s.

Several witnesses have said they saw her pull up in her car in front of the house – as the robberies apparently were already under way.

Frank testified, “When she opened the door I seen an arm come out and grab her and pull her in. I heard her say, ‘Oh no not my baby’ or something of that order.”

Flora was killed that night along with her 5-year-old son Luis.

Those who loved the victims had another difficult afternoon in court.

Dr. Stephen Radentz, a forensic pathologist who performed autopsies on three of the victims, went over the autopsy reports and photographs in court.

He provided extensive detail on how many times each victim had been shot, and the effect of those shootings on their bodies.

One woman was so distraught that she left the courtroom, began sobbing uncontrollably, and needed the assistance of a wheelchair to get onto an elevator and out of the City-County Building.