McClain’s call to police: ‘I swear to God, I didn’t do it’

Jury members on Wednesday listened to a phone call Kenneth McClain made to police about an hour after Franklinton Police Officer Craig James was shot while in pursuit of a suspect.

“Please Lord, I’m going to go away for life for this, and I swear to God, I didn’t do it,” McClain told a police dispatcher about 1 a.m. on Sept. 18, 2007.

McClain, a Franklinton resident, was arrested for the shooting a few minutes later, giving himself up without incident. He is now on trial for attempted first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and could receive up to 50 years in jail if convicted.

Opening statements in the trial were made Tuesday afternoon, and the prosecution made its case beginning Wednesday.

Several police officers were called to the stand along with a forensic scientist who reviewed evidence from the case including McClain’s clothing at the time of the shooting.

Gunshot residue was found on McClain’s t-shirt, and elements found in pepper spray were discovered above McClain’s left ear, according to lab results and police.

Wearing a black patch over his right eye, McClain, 20, who goes by the street name “Pickle” sat leaning forward and paying attention during the testimony. Outside of court, McClain’s sister, Rachel Toomer, said McClain’s eye was injured in prison, the result of an alleged beating he received shortly after he was booked into the Washington Parish Jail.

Summing up those called to the stand Tuesday, FPD Lt. Justin Brown, who was on duty the night of the shooting, said he heard the shots from the parking lot of the police headquarters.

“I heard a gunshot, and then there was a brief pause, and then I heard four more gunshots,” Brown said.

He said he went to the scene, and began administering first aid to James along with the help of two other police officers.

After getting James into an ambulance, the FPD officers secured the crime scene and began the investigation as all help from other agencies began to arrive, Brown said.

McClain called the police station about an hour later.

Brown is expected to continue his testimony today in court.