Video shows acid purchased in Orange Co. murder case

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C.

The jury was told the video shows Mishele Minton's SUV pull up to the store and Jacob Maxwell go inside to purchase two gallons of muriatic acid.

Mishele Minton is not seen in the video.

Prosecutors are trying to convict Minton's 23-year-old son Brian on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, and conspiracy in the 2008 slaying of 20-year-old Josh Bailey.

According to investigators, Bailey was shot in the head July 29 in a wooded area off Twisted Oaks Drive outside Carrboro and then buried in a shallow grave. His body was later dug up and reburied near Jordan Lake, where police found it in late September 2008.

Brian Minton is the first of six people facing the same charges in the case to go on trial. Prosecutors have acknowledged that Minton was not the triggerman, but they allege he was the leader of the group that killed Bailey.

Witnesses who have already testified allege that the group pulled off robberies together, but that some became suspicious someone within the circle was stealing from the others.

Suspicion first fell on group member Matt Johnson, but he said Bailey was the one. The two were interrogated by the group in Minton's garage and then ordered to fight it out. While Johnson continued to maintain his innocence, Bailey wasn't as vocal and blame fell on him.

He was taken to the woods and Minton allegedly ordered Johnson to shoot Bailey. Prosecutors say he shot Bailey in the head and then in the chest.

After leaving the body in a shallow grave, prosecutors say the body was later dug up and moved to Jordan Lake.

Prosecutors say the acid purchased at Lowes was used to try and cover up the alleged crime. Mishele Minton, who along with her husband, Greg Minton, is charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder for allegedly trying to hide evidence.

If convicted, Brian Minton could face life in prison.

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