The continuing investigation into the December 2016 murder of Justin Lawton, 26, in the side parking lot of JC’s Sports Bar on Blackwood Drive has led to the federal indictment of a second defendant.
Christopher Brazelton, 24, of Nashville, is charged with conspiring to commit Hobbs Act robbery; using, carrying, brandishing and discharging a firearm resulting in death; conspiring to tamper with a witness; and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Brazelton was convicted in September 2017 in Davidson County Criminal Court of possessing Xanax for resale. He received a four-year mostly probated sentence. In his plea bargain, felony gun possession and marijuana charges were dismissed. A felony cocaine charge was reduced to a misdemeanor.
Brandon Hunt-Clark, 22, was previously indicted on the same charges in connection with this case last month. Brazelton and Hunt-Clark are also accused of conspiring with unnamed others to tamper with a witness who had knowledge of the robbery and murder of Lawton. Both individuals face up to life in federal prison if convicted. This case is being investigated by Hermitage Precinct detectives and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Sunny A.M. Koshy is prosecuting the case.
Hunt-Clark pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated assault in Davidson County Criminal Court in August 2016 for the shooting the prior November of then Metro Councilman Greene near the intersection of Oceola and Burgess Avenues in West Nashville. He received a three-year probated sentence.
Justin Lawton, the murder victim, was with Hunt-Clark during the Greene incident.
