NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — It has been almost two years since Nashville nurse Caitlyn Kaufman was murdered on Interstate 440. On Tuesday, the two men accused in her death appeared in front of a judge for a motions hearing.
Within a few minutes of the hearing starting, Kaufman's father lunged toward the men and was subsequently escorted out of the room.
Kaufman was driving in rush hour traffic on I-440 when six bullets were shot into her car. She was hit once, and was able to pull over to the shoulder, but died before she could call 911.
Police believe road rage may be to blame for the shooting. Officers said both men were in another car and one shot at Kaufman. They are charged with first-degree murder.
A Metro Parks officer pulled over when he saw a vehicle on the side of the interstate according to Sgt. Chris Dickerson.
“He came up upon the vehicle and he realized that it had several bullet holes in the vehicle, and then he saw that there was an individual inside slumped over the steering wheel, so he positioned his vehicle in front of hers, and I believe called for additional units,” Dickerson said.
In addition, there was a discussion regarding a criminal informant. They apparently were able to obtain the suspected murder weapon. In trial, defense attorneys will likely try to poke holes in the informant's story. However, Sgt. Christopher Turner said they can be incentivized.
“I’d say 50% of the individuals will give us information, whether it be for working off, say it be criminal charges," Turner said, "Or getting paid for that information, and maybe people do it to get back at somebody because they were done wrong."
There was also a lengthy discussion regarding a vehicle's infotainment system. Bluetooth information can be downloaded in certain cases.
The first day of the motions hearing concluded, but more discussion will be heard ahead of the trial down the road.
NewsChannel 5 reported in July there is no talk of a plea deal and the district attorney is seeking life in prison without parole.
