Hayes trial testimony: Quote for work on vehicle ignited fight, led to Darrell Russ' death

BARNSTABLE — After two days of jury selection, opening statements were heard in the trial of the man accused of a 2019 Hyannis shooting death.

William Hayes Jr., 42 of Falmouth, is charged with murder, assault and battery with a firearm and other firearm-related counts in connection with the Oct. 16, 2019 shooting that killed Darrell Russ, 33, of Hyannis.

Barnstable police received a call that day about a possible disturbance at Hayes' mechanic shop AQ Auto located at 362 Yarmouth Road in Hyannis, where officers found Russ lying wounded on the road. He was brought to Cape Cod Hospital where he died from his injuries.

Hayes then allegedly fled to Yazoo City, Mississippi, where he was arrested on Nov. 1, 2019, by federal marshals — assisted by Barnstable and Massachusetts state police officers — and brought back to the state. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The jury heard opening statements from attorney Drew Segadelli, representing Hayes, and Cape and Islands Assistant District Attorney Michael Donovan, prosecutor for the case. Judge Mark Gildea is presiding over the trial.

Segadelli previously indicated his intent to use a self-defense argument, which Donovan noted in his opening after outlining the facts of the case.

"This is a case that is going to require sorting through many issues, like self-defense and the limits of self-defense," Donovan said.

"You need to determine whether he (Russ) is the first aggressor," Segadelli said. "There are at least five opportunities over eighteen years that show that this is a violent fellow."

The prosecution called several witnesses to the stand on Wednesday, who each provided a version of the events on Oct. 16, 2019.

Barnstable Police Detective Edward Cronin was the responding officer at the scene on the day of the shooting along with Patrolman Gustavo Eloy, who also testified.

State Police Lieutenant Matthew Lavoie, a detective assigned to the Cape and Islands, testified that he compiled digital records such as surveillance footage and phone records for the case.

Lavoie provided a slide presentation of surveillance footage from businesses in the 362 Yarmouth Road property.

The jury then heard from Robert Rooney, the former service advisor for Hayes' AQ Auto shop, who witnessed the initial events of the day.

Carlos Tapio, a used car salesman who worked at MidCape Motors at the time of the shooting, located at 362A Yarmouth Road, testified as well. A video he had taken on the day of the shooting was shown to the jury.

Last, Jessica Turr, who was a CNA at the time of the shooting and was one of two women attempting to provide aid to Russ after his collapse, also testified.

What is alleged to have happened that day at AQ Auto in Hyannis

According to Rooney, Russ and Aquil Pryor, 46, of Hyannis, went to AQ Auto on Oct. 16 at around noon so Russ could get a quote on mechanical work for his car, a 2007 Chrysler 300.

Rooney described both men as "large individuals, 6-foot-3, both of them, and heavyset."

Both men seemed familiar with Hayes, according to Rooney, and he said the atmosphere of the room was casual until Rooney told Russ the mechanical work would cost $750.

"He was irate," Rooney said. "It went from us talking like we are now, to him approaching my desk. I've been a part-time bouncer for years and you can just tell, his shoulders were up and his chest was out, and he said something to the effect of 'I don't like your guy' to Will."

Confrontation with service advisor

Rooney said Hayes attempted to de-escalate the situation by offering a $600 quote to Russ instead, but while Rooney was attempting to pack up his things, Russ struck him on the left side of his face.

"I shut my laptop, clicked my pen and I looked up and saw his(Russ') fist coming," Rooney said.

He said he then went to the bathroom, and saw a cut on the bridge of his nose, blood coming from his nose and swelling on his face.

More: Attorney says victim was the aggressor in fatal Hyannis shooting

"My state of mind was just to get out of there," Rooney said. "Fight or flight."

He then said Russ confronted him as he attempted to leave out of the front exit asking if Rooney planned to go to the police.

Rooney said no, all he wanted to do was go home, and Russ seemed even angrier than when he hit him.

As Rooney attempted to leave in his car, Russ stood in front of the vehicle, but Hayes was able to get Russ out of the way, and Rooney left.

"Will was just trying to get me out of there," he said. "You're sitting at your desk doing your job and someone attacks you, it's pretty shocking."

Russ and Pryor then left the premises, but returned approximately fifteen minutes later and entered Hayes' office, according to the opening statements.

Surveillance footage showed Russ then running out of AQ Auto, and the video submitted by Tapio showed him after he collapsed on Yarmouth Road.

Business casualty: Hyannis business struggling in aftermath of shooting

Cronin and Eloy both testified that upon arrival, they saw Russ' Chrysler exiting the back of the parking lot, heading south on Yarmouth Road. Eloy pulled the car over.

Cronin said he recognized the car as belonging to Russ.

Pryor was operating the car, however, and Eloy said he was handcuffed and the contents of his pockets were placed on the roof of the car — a wallet, a gray gift card and about $3,000 in cash.

Both Cronin and Eloy described the situation as "chaos."

Three women try to help Russ

Turr was coming back from work when she noticed a "man with his pants half down" fall onto the middle of the road in front of 362 Yarmouth Road.

She pulled over and joined another woman already attempting to give aid to Russ. A third woman was on the phone with police.

She noticed Russ was bleeding and said she and the other woman put their hands on the wounds to staunch the blood.

"He was gasping, saying 'I can't breathe' and asking for his mom," Turr said. "He pushed us off him and attempted to get up, but ended up on his back. He kept getting weaker and weaker and eventually stopped talking, and then EMTs got there."

The jury was dismissed at 4 p.m. Testimony is expected to continue through the week.

Contact Sarah Carlon: scarlon@capecodonline.com or on Twitter @sarcarlon

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod: William Hayes Jr. trial witness says work quote led to fight