Jurors hear testimony in Cortland murder trial

CORTLAND, N.Y. — A man is on trial this week in connection with a December 2014 homicide at the NorthCliffe Apartments in Cortland.

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Randy Wilkinson is accused of second-degree murder in the death of 36-year-old Terry Walker in the early morning hours on Dec. 20, 2014. Opening statements began Wednesday following jury selection.

According to court documents, Wilkinson and Walker had gotten into an argument in Wilkinson’s apartment that evening over a drug deal. The dispute escalated and ended with Wilkinson allegedly stabbing Walker several times and striking him with a thick cutting board.

The defense, led by Public Defender Keith Dayton, is arguing that Wilkinson acted in self-defense, while the prosecution—led by Cortland County District Attorney Mark Suben—will attempt to convince the jury that Wilkinson murdered Walker after the two got into a fight.

Jurors heard testimony Monday from several police officers and forensic investigators who were involved in the homicide case.

Last week, jurors heard testimony from Keturah Hicks, who said she was Walker’s longtime girlfriend. She referred to Walker as the “love of my life and father of my three children.”

Hicks also testified that she and Walker had been involved in several domestic disputes over the years, while also confirming that Walker previously sold drugs to Wilkinson.

Witness testimony will continue Monday afternoon. The trial is expected to resume again at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

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