NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WAVE) – Testimony resumed Thursday for the sixth day in the jury trial of Isaiah Page, following a fifth day that included testimony from a crime scene investigator, a forensics examiner, and the lead detective with New Albany Police at the time of the shooting.
On Wednesday morning, Sgt. Jon Davidson testified that investigators matched shell casings to two 9mm handguns, while a third firearm — a .40 caliber pistol — has not produced any matches.
Isaiah Page, 19, stands accused of killing Gerlach on the third night of the Harvest Homecoming festival.
Page faces six charges: murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, and criminal recklessness. He also faces two sentence enhancements — one related to firearms and another tied to criminal organization.
Floyd County Prosecutor Chris Lane said witness testimony and forensic evidence will “show who pulled the trigger to kill Bryce.”
Lane also stated the evidence will outline an ongoing conflict between three groups before the shooting, with alleged gang affiliations connected to those involved.
The defense argues there is no firearm or forensic evidence linking Page to the guns or shell casings and points out that no photo or video shows him firing a weapon. Attorneys claim the scene was chaotic and accuse prosecutors of “cherry picking” evidence.
In the days after the shooting, police collected dashcam video from a driver who captured the sound of gunfire, along with footage from the YMCA, as investigators worked to reconstruct what happened.
On the fourth day of testimony, jurors viewed multiple videos of the 2024 shooting.
During day three, the jury heard from Gerlach’s girlfriend, watched body camera footage from the officer who provided aid to Gerlach, and listened to testimony from two individuals who witnessed the initial argument prosecutors say sparked the violence.
Prosecutors indicated they plan to call additional witnesses in the coming days. Four individuals who have already been charged and sentenced could testify as early as Thursday.
Day 6
The day began with testimony from Adrian Thurman, 19, who received a two-and-a-half-year sentence in connection with the shooting.
Thurman said he was among a group arguing on Black Avenue before the shooting. He met Joshua Smith, who received a 10-year sentence for his role, near the rides area to discuss gambling. Thurman and his friends later moved to the fountain area to shoot dice.
He testified that one of his friends began arguing with a man from West Louisville who had also tried to get a girl’s number. Thurman said his friend had prior issues with the man, though he personally did not.
As Thurman and his friend turned back toward the rides, he said he heard someone yell, “bust that mf,” before gunfire erupted. He testified that he did not see a weapon but felt a bullet pass by him.
During cross-examination, the defense asked whether Thurman saw or knew Page at the scene. Thurman said he did not. However, prosecutors later clarified that a man named Isiah was present at the fountain, though Thurman said he could not recall his last name.
Both sides questioned Thurman about several individuals wearing masks that night. Thurman said he wore a mask because “people don’t like” him.
He also testified that he did not know what people at the upper fountain looked like — a statement that differed from what he previously told police. Thurman added that he saw someone wearing a backpack pull out what “looked like a gun clip.”
Prosecutors filed a motion requesting that jurors visit the shooting site, arguing it would provide helpful context in a complex case. The defense countered that such a visit would only confuse jurors. Judge Stiller said a site visit could help jurors understand elevation changes and landmarks but emphasized that no one other than appointed individuals could discuss the case on site and that filming would not be allowed. The court has not yet ruled on the motion.
Darius Tuff was called to testify but declined to take the stand. Instead, jurors heard a transcript of Tuff’s sworn testimony from the case of co-defendant Shermichael Smith.
In that transcript, Tuff stated he drove Shermichael and Joshua Smith to Harvest Homecoming that night. He testified that all three men were armed and said he believed Joshua intended to rob Adrian Thurman.
Other witnesses previously testified that someone wanted to fight an individual known as “Doorman,” whom Tuff identified in the transcript as Joshua.
According to the transcript, Tuff said he, Shermichael, and Joshua were walking back to Shermichael’s car when individuals at the top of the stairs began shooting. He admitted to firing three shots before getting into the vehicle.
Investigators later stated that Tuff’s bullets struck Michele Nashi and Brandon Hagan.
Tuff also testified that Joshua fired three additional shots from the car as they drove away. He later told Joshua, “Be ready for the consequences,” according to the transcript.
Nehi Kirksey is expected to testify Friday at 9 a.m., and a confidentiality hearing for Joshua Smith is scheduled for 10 a.m.
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