Tajh Ross in police interview says shooting was to protect friend

Tajh Ross denied in police interview for over an hour that had any knowledge of a shooting or fired a gun the night Latasha Roundtree was killed Sept. 22, 2012.

Ross, 20, told investigators in two interviews that he was in a car getting ready to leave the 600 block of 16th Avenue SW, when he heard gunshots. He said some guy was trying to sell him and his friends guns during a party. He didn't know who was shooting and he wasn't involved.

In the second interview, he started out saying he didn't remember but after being told by investigators others had given them details and put a gun in his hand, he provided more. He continued to deny having a gun and firing it until investigators came back and told him he was being charged with first-degree murder.

Ross then admitted to shooting a gun but said he never shot at the car and it was in defense of his buddy, Liban Muhidin. He even expressed remorse for Roundtree's death.

Ross is on trial for first-degree murder, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony and going armed with intent. He is accused of shooting and killing Roundtree, 19, while she was a passenger in a car. She was with two friends as they were headed to a party where Ross was also that night, according to testimony.

The prosecution rested Thursday and the defense will start its case 9 a.m. Friday in Linn County District Court. The trial started last week.

'Replay live coverage: Tahj Ross murder trial, Day 8

Ross in interviews said Freddy Hanson, who had the party at 649 16th Ave. SW, and also is a brother to Jeremiah Ellis, another defendant, mentioned someone made a threat to 'shoot up” the house, but he didn't know anything. After some guy tried to sell guns to Liban and Yasin Muhidin, they all went to the car parked in the alley behind the house when they heard shots and they sped out of the area.

Cedar Rapids police Investigator Matt Denlinger continued to ask Ross to 'tell the truth.” He said this was Ross' opportunity to tell his side and they just wanted the truth.

Ross insisted many times he was being honest and he wasn't a 'snitch.”

Ross then said he heard Ellis had a gun and was shooting that night but he didn't see it. Then he said a car drove up in front of the house while he was in the car in the alley.

Ellis was across the street at an abandoned house when the car passed and slowed down, Ross said. Ellis then chased it. He heard five or six shots fired.

Denlinger said they knew there were two shooters and the second person was standing where he was near the porch.

Ross, as his voice raises, keeps asking if police have proof he was a shooter. He repeatedly claims he doesn't have a gun and doesn't 'play with guns.”

Ross then said Liban Muhidin told him Ellis said he was glad he killed Roundtree.

Denlinger leaves Ross alone for several minutes and returns to inform him he is being charged with Roundtree's homicide.

'I didn't murder nobody,” Ross said. 'I shot in the air like this (he put his arm up in the air).”

Ross said he was protecting his friend Liban Muhidin but he knows he didn't shoot anybody. He fired and then Ellis fired his gun, a revolver or pistol, more than once. Ross said wouldn't have targeted or shot at Roundtree - she was best friends with his cousin. He feels bad about her death. Nobody targeted her.

After firing the air shots, Ross said he took off running. His 'heart was pounding,” he was scared, and he was hoping nobody got hurt. Ross said he threw the gun away under the garage next to the 649 house.

The .40 caliber gun used to kill Roundtree was recovered by the neighbor who owned that garage, according to testimony.

Ross never called the gun he used that night a .40 caliber but described it as a glock, like police have.

Officers and a criminalist last week testified those handguns look similar and could be easily misidentified.

Doug Davis, Ross' attorney, on cross asked if others involved in this case gave false information.

Denlinger said they did.

Davis said Ross wasn't the only person who was scared to give information.

Denlinger said no, others were worried about retaliation and wanted to protect their families.

'Gazette Reporter Trish Mehaffey continues her live coverage from the courtroom. Follow her live blog at thegazette.com. Followers can provide comments and ask questions during the trial.