Testimony Begins in Mall Shooting Trial

TYLER – Testimony began Wednesday morning in the trial for the accused Tyler Broadway Square Mall parking lot shooter. Ricky Neal Jr. allegedly shot dead a former Chapel Hill and Stephen F. Austin athlete on February 9, 2013. Neal faces an additional charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after police determined he shot at Jonathan Lamone Dews, 29, of Tyler. The jury will also be responsible for the punishment phase of the case. According to both lawyers, Neal and the victim, Chris Mass, 23, of Tyler, were allegedly affiliated with opposing gangs: Neal with the “Bloods” and Mass with the “Crips.” They also pointed out Dews was a known and convicted drug dealer.